Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News

[pib] Nuakhai Festival

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Nuakhai

Mains level: Not Much

Nuakhai

Central Idea

  • The Prime Minister has greeted the people on the auspicious occasion of Nuakhai.

About Nuakhai

  • Nuakhai, also known as Nuakhai Parab or Nuakhai Bhetghat, is alternatively referred to as Navakhai Parv in Chhattisgarh.
  • Nuakhai is predominantly an agricultural festival celebrated by tribal communities and Hindus residing in Western Odisha.
  • It is also observed in the adjacent regions of Simdega in Jharkhand, where the cultural influence of Western Odisha is prominent.
  • Nuakhai is observed to mark the arrival of the new rice harvest.
  • The term “nua” signifies new, and “khai” represents food, symbolizing the farmers’ possession of the freshly harvested rice.
  • This festival falls on the panchami tithi (the fifth day) of the lunar fortnight in the month of Bhadrapada (usually August- September).
  • It occurs the day following the Ganesh Chaturthi festival.

Historical Roots

  • Nuakhai traces its origins back to ancient times, with its roots in the Pralambana Yajna, which involves harvesting the first crop and making a reverential offering to the mother goddess.
  • In its present form, the festival is linked to the time of the first Chauhan King Ramai Deva of Patnagarh in western Odisha.

Course of Celebrations

  • Nuakhai festivities encompass a series of nine rituals commencing with Behrana and culminating in Juhar Bhet.
  1. Beheren: This marks the announcement of the scheduled meeting date.
  2. Nuakhai: The highlight of the celebration involves partaking in the freshly harvested crop after offering it to the deity, accompanied by lively dancing and singing.
  3. Juhar bhet: It involves seeking blessings from elders and exchanging gifts with them as a gesture of respect and affection.

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