‘Lagna’ for western Odisha’s famous festival Nuakhai fixed

Sambalpur: Ahead of the famous Nuakhai festival to be observed on September 11, Brahmamandap Pandit Mahasabha at Brahmapura temple here today finalised the Lagna (propitious moment) for offering Nabanna (newly harvested rice) to Goddess Samaleswari, the presiding deity of the district.

The Nabanna will be offered to the Goddess between 10.15 am and 10.25 am on the day, informed Brahmapura Temple Trust Committee.

The agrarian festival will be celebrated in western Odisha after offering of Nabanna to Goddess Samaleswari. As per Odia almanac, it is the fifth day of lunar fortnight of Bhadraba month.

Every year, the auspicious time for celebration of the festival is decided by the Brahmamandap Pandit Mahasabha at Brahmapura temple a day after Janmashtami.

The festival is observed with much pomp and gaiety across western Odisha districts of Sambalpur, Sundargarh, Kalahandi, Balangir, Bargarh, Subarnapur, Deogarh, Jharsuguda and Boudh to celebrate the reaping of new crops.