Nuakhai

Nuakhai is an agricultural festival mainly observed by people in Western Odisha and adjacent areas of Simdega in Jharkhand, India. It is celebrated to welcome the new rice of the season. Nua means "new" and khai means "to eat," so the name signifies the consumption of the newly harvested rice.

Nuakhai is a festival of great significance, symbolizing unity and new beginnings. It falls on the Panchami tithi (fifth day) of the lunar fortnight of Bhadrapada (August–September), the day after Ganesh Chaturthi. The date is calculated according to the Hindu lunisolar calendar by the priest.

The festival involves offering the newly harvested rice to the local deity, followed by partaking of the nua (new rice) by family members. Preparations begin weeks in advance, with people cleaning and decorating their homes. On the day of Nuakhai, families gather, typically at the eldest member's house, to offer prayers and eat the nua together. Following the ritual, younger members of the family pay their respects to elders in a ritual called Nuakhai Juhar. It's a time for reconciliation, forgiveness, and strengthening family bonds.

Different types of traditional dishes are prepared during Nuakhai, often involving the new rice. The festival is also marked by traditional folk dances and music. The celebration can last for several days, with people visiting relatives and friends. Nuakhai is an important cultural event that reflects the agrarian roots of the region and reinforces community harmony.