Lagna for Nuakhai festival finalised in Odisha

Sambalpur: The lagna (propitious moment) for offering Navanna (new rice) to Goddess Samaleswari on the auspicious occasion of Nuakhai has been finalised.

The Navanna will be offered to Goddess Samalei between 9.35 AM and 9.50 AM on August 23, informed Brahmapura Temple Trust Committee today.

The Nuakhai festival will be celebrated in western Odisha after offering of Navanna to Goddess Samaleswari, the presiding deity of Sambalpur district.

Every year, the exact timing for celebrating the most popular festival is decided by the Brahmamandap Pandit Mahasabha at Brahmapura temple in Sambalpur district a day after Janmashtami (birthday of Lord Krishna).

On the auspicious occasion, all households of the district offer Navanna to their presiding deity and Goddess Lakshmi as mark of gratitude for good harvest, rain and favourable weather for farming.

Nuakhai, an agrarian festival, is celebrated with pomp and gaiety across western Odisha districts of Sambalpur, Sundergarh, Kalahandi, Bolangir, Bargarh, Subarnapur, Deogarh, Jharsuguda and Boudh.