Nuakhai in 2025 will be celebrated on Thursday, 28th August. This much-awaited harvest festival is a time of joy, gratitude, and togetherness for the people of Odisha, especially in the western districts and adjoining regions. Symbolizing the offering of the first grains of the new harvest to the deities, Nuakhai is not just a cultural event but also a celebration of the deep bond between farmers, nature, and tradition. Families reunite, communities gather, and villages come alive with rituals, folk dances, and festive spirit, making Nuakhai one of the most significant festivals of Odisha.

Nuakhai Festival 2025: Date, Rituals, History and Celebration in Odisha

1. Date and Time

Nuakhai is observed on the Panchami Tithi (fifth day) of the lunar fortnight in the month of Bhadrapada (Bhadraba), which usually falls in August or September. In 2025, the festival will be celebrated on 28th August. The auspicious time or Lagna for performing the rituals in Sambalpur has been fixed between 10:33 AM and 10:55 AM on the same day.

2. Significance

Nuakhai marks the arrival of the new rice harvest and symbolizes gratitude towards Mother Earth and the deities for blessing the people with abundance. Rooted in ancient agrarian practices of Odisha, it is not only a thanksgiving festival but also an important cultural occasion. By bringing families, neighbors, and communities together, Nuakhai reinforces the values of unity, social bonding, and cultural pride among the Odia people.

3. Celebrations and Rituals

The heart of Nuakhai lies in the offering of the first harvested rice (Nabanna) to the presiding deity, most notably Goddess Samaleswari. Once the offering is made, families prepare special dishes from the new rice and share them in a communal feast.

The day is marked by:

Pahuda Yatra – a ceremonial procession of offerings, accompanied by traditional instruments like drums, cymbals, and conch shells.
Nuakhai Juhar – a custom where younger members of the family seek blessings from elders.
Nuakhai Bhetghat – large community gatherings featuring cultural programs, folk songs, and energetic Sambalpuri dances, along with traditional feasts that strengthen community ties.

Nuakhai Festival 2025: Date, Rituals, History and Celebration in Odisha

4. Places of Celebration

Though Nuakhai is observed across Odisha, it is most vibrant in the western districts such as Sambalpur, Balangir, Bargarh, Kalahandi, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Nuapada, Sonepur, and Boudh. Beyond Odisha, the festival is also celebrated by Odia-speaking communities in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and neighboring states, where the traditions are carried on with equal devotion.

Essence of Nuakhai

Nuakhai is far more than just a harvest festival. It is a celebration of gratitude, family bonds, social harmony, and Odisha’s rich cultural heritage. The festival not only honors the new harvest but also strengthens the collective spirit of the people, making it one of the most significant cultural events in the state.

Nuakhai Festival 2025: Date, Rituals, History and Celebration in Odisha

Nuakhai is one of the most cherished and vibrant harvest festivals of Odisha, celebrated with immense enthusiasm across western parts of the state. The term "Nuakhai" comes from two Odia words – nua meaning new and khai meaning food. It marks the offering and consumption of the first grains of the newly harvested paddy crop. In 2025, Nuakhai will be celebrated on Thursday, 28th August.

🌾 Historical Significance of Nuakhai

The roots of Nuakhai can be traced back to the Vedic era, where the concept of Pralambana Yajna was observed to honor the first produce of the season. Later, in the 14th century, Raja Ramai Dev of Patna institutionalized Nuakhai as a royal festival. Over time, it became a community celebration, deeply embedded in the culture of western Odisha. Since 1991, the Government of Odisha has officially recognized Nuakhai as a public holiday, observed on Bhadraba Shukla Panchami.

🙏 Rituals and Traditions of Nuakhai

Nuakhai is not just a one-day celebration, but a festival with nine rituals that begin nearly 15 days before the main event:

Beheren: Announcement of the festival date by the village head.
Lagna Dekha: Fixing the auspicious time to perform the main ritual.
Daka Haka: Sending invitations to relatives and community members.
Sapha-Sutura & Lipa-Puchha: Cleaning and decorating homes.
Ghina Bika: Buying necessary items for the celebration.
Nua Dhan Khujha: Collecting the new harvest of paddy.
Bali Paka: Preparations for offering the new grain to the deity.
Nuakhai: Offering the first grains to the presiding deity and then consuming it.
Juhar Bhet: Seeking blessings from elders and exchanging greetings.

The central ritual involves offering the newly harvested rice to regional deities like Samaleswari, Manikeswari, Pataneswari, and Sureswari. After this, the eldest family member serves the new rice to younger ones, and everyone seeks blessings – this tradition is popularly called Nuakhai Juhar.

🎉 Celebration Across Odisha

On the evening of Nuakhai, families and communities come together for Nuakhai Bhetghat – a social gathering filled with folk dances, songs, and cultural performances. Traditional Sambalpuri folk dances such as Dalkhai, Rasarkeli, Maelajada, and Nachnia are performed with great energy. It is also an occasion where people wear new clothes, prepare traditional dishes, and strengthen social and cultural bonds.

Nuakhai Festival 2025: Date, Rituals, History and Celebration in Odisha