Sambalpur: Every nook and corner of western Odisha was soaked in festive mood Thursday on the eve of the celebration of Nuakhai, the most important socio cultural festival of the region.
The mass festival would be observed Friday, a day after Ganesh Puja, on the fifth day of the lunar fortnight of Bhadrab month with religious tradition and fervor.
Nuakhai is also called Nuakhai Parab or Nuakahi Bhetghat. The word ‘nua’ means new and ‘khai’ means food, so the name means the farmers are in possession of the newly harvested rice. The festival is seen as a new ray of hope. It has a big significance for farmers and the farming community.
Ahead of Nuakhai, Sindur Arpan was performed at the temple of goddess Samlei, the presiding deity of the region, Thursday. Later, 115 deities of the temple were given bath by Ambika Prasad Roy, the chief priest of the shrine. The other priests offered vermillion mixed with castor oil to goddess Sheetala Devi amid chanting of ‘Haribol’, ‘Hulahuli’ and beating of cymbals.
Other priests including Debendra Roy, Giridhari Roy, Shubham Ray, Prakash Ray, Chittaranjan Ray and Pankaj Ray took part in the rituals. The attire of the goddess was kept ready for this major annual fest, said the priests.
Meanwhile, the shrine has been decked up with flowers and colourful illumination on the occasion of Nuakhai celebration.
On the other hand, the leaves of taro (a root vegetable locally known as ‘saru’), a favorite of goddess Samlei, have arrived at the residence of the chief priest. There is a tradition to offer a food item prepared from taro leaves to the goddess.
All preparations have been finalised for Nuakhai observance at other major shrines of western Odisha also including Bhairavi of Boudh, Talwat Kana Bhainra of Nuapada, Samlei of Bargarh and Jharsuguda districts, Samlei and Shikharbasini of Sundargarh district, goddess Pataneswari of Bolangir and Sureswari of Sonepur.
Large crowds were seen at the railway station, bus stand, auto rickshaw and rickshaw stands of the city as the locals residing in other places were homebound to be part of the festival.
Major pandals of the city including Aranyaka Manch at Jhaduapada, Chitrotpala Manch of Nandapada and Samaleswari Mandap of Badabazaar were decorated for observation of Nuankhai Bhetghat.
Makeshift outlets in large number were seen at Golbazaar, Mudipada Chhak, Kamali Bazaar, Farm Road, VSS Marg, Charbhati Chhak, Budharaja, daily market of municipality, Ainthapali Kainsir, Bhalupali Chhak, Dharupali Chhak, Govindtola Badabazaar, Mudipada Hutli, Laxmi Talkies Chhak, Kacheri Chhak and Remed.
No impact of price rise on celebration
Birmaharajpur: The steep price rise of essential commodity seems to have failed to dampen the spirit of Nuakhai celebration in Subarnapur district.
Plying of vehicles near the daily market in Birmaharajpur was hit Thursday as people thronged the area for purchasing goods. They kept buying new items for the festival as well as to meet the household needs without caring the price of the commodities.
This correspondent had a chat with some customers on the occasion. Ananta Mallik of Buroghat said he purchases some new and attractive stuff every year ahead of Nuakhai festival. There was chock-a-block condition this year due to favourable weather, he added.
“The farmer fraternity is happy due to bumper harvest this year. As people didn’t mind the price rise issue, the farmers have made some profits,” said Champeswar Mahakur of Lumberjena are .
Chandrika Jena, a Plus III student of Birmaharajpur College, said it was her first experience of Nuakhai shopping and she didn’t do much bargain.
“Even as I live 20 km from Birmaharajpur town, the income from my betel shop is enough to meet the needs. Today I made some purchases in the makeshift market and the price didn’t hurt the pocket,” said Sudam Patra, a betel shop owner.