Bhubaneswar, Aug 6: The auspicious time (Lagna) for Nuakhai, the iconic agrarian festival of Western Odisha, has been finalized.

According to reports, the newly harvested rice or Navanna will be offered to the presiding deity between 9:35 am and 10:07 am on September 8, 2024. The date and time for the Lagna in Bolangir district have been determined based on the zodiac and Nakshatra of Maa Pataneswari and the king of Patanagarh.

The Nirnayak Committee, responsible for deciding the time to commence the puja, announced the Lagna following astrological calculations.

Nuakhai, the region’s agrarian festival, is a unique celebration that unites family members from near and far. The festival involves traditional customs such as offering ‘Nabanna’ to deities amidst Hulahuli, drumbeats, cymbals, and conch shells. Youngsters seek blessings from their elders, a practice known as ‘Nuakhai Juhar’, and exchange greetings called ‘Nuakhai Bhetghat’.

Additionally, people prepare and share delicacies made from the new rice with relatives and friends and use new items such as clothes, pots, baskets, leaves, and trays, symbolizing the festival’s theme.

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