Nuakhai

SAMBALPUR RA "NUAKHAI PARAB"

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"Nuakhai" an agricultural festival mostly celebrated western Odisha. "NUA" means new and "KHAI" means  food. it indicates that  farmers are  in position of newly harvested rice. according to Hindu calendar, it observed  on Panchami tithi of Bhadrapada, the day after Ganesh Chaturthi. The significance of this festival lies more in its socio-cultural content rather than its religious or ritualistic aspect.

Every year the  Tithi (day) and Samaya (time) determined by the priest  and on the auspicious moment the high priest offers Nabhanna or new paddy as Bhoga Lagna to presiding deity of Sambalpur, Maa Samleswari (Goddesses Samleswari).
People of western Odisha sets in motion 15 days before the festival begins. A nine sets of rituals followed by the people as a prelude to actual day celebration. The nine  rituals include:

1. Beheren (Announcement for meeting to set a date)

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2 Lagna Dekha (Setting the exact date for partaking of new rice) 

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3. Daka Haka (Invitation)

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4.Sapha Sutura and Lipa Puchha (Cleanliness)

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5.Ghina Bika (Purchasing)

 

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My Sambalpur - My Pride

About Sambalpur
Sambalpur district the heart of western Odisha had been named after the presiding goddess Maa Samlai and was established in 1528 by raja Balaram Dev, the first Chowhan king of sambalpur. it's located on the river bank of Mahanadi and enriched with natural surroundings. The city contains much historic building, temples and park.

1.Samlaieswari temple
Samlaieswari the presiding deity of Sambalpur, holds a strong religious force in western Odisha. located in the rich cultural heritage and the bank of Mahanadi built during 16th century.

2.Sambalpuri dance

Sambalpuri dance, a traditional folk dance form, owes its origin to the western part of Odisha, particularly the erstwhile Sambalpur district of Odisha. The popular and decaying dances include Baghnach (tiger dance), Dalkhai, Karma nach, Dhap dance, Keisabadi is few of them.

3.Sital-Sasthi

Sitalsasthi a 400 years old colourful carnival of Sambalpur which is a marriage ceremony of lord Shiva and Goddesses Parvati which celebrated with enormous enthusiasm and devotion. Only few couple get the chance to act as father and mother of the  God and Goddesses.

4.Sambalpuri Saree

Sambalpuri sari is famous for its bandhakala, a traditional handcraftsmanship. Sambalpuri saree is well known for their folk motifs like sankha (shell), chakra (wheel), phulla (flower) all of which depict in the craftsmanship.

5.Hirakud Dam

Hirakud dam a technological wonder located 15km away from Sambalpur. world's longest earthen dam was built on 1953 and inaugurated by former prime minister of India Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru. two minars (towers) are built on hirakud and burla to enjoy the scenic beauty of hirakud dam.

Article Write by:

BISHNU KUMAR BEHERA