Bhubaneswar, Aug 28 (PTI): President Droupadi Murmu, along with Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik, has extended greetings to the people on the occasion of 'Nuakhai,' an agrarian festival prominently celebrated in the western regions of the state. 'Nuakhai,' which translates to 'new feed,' is a festival centered on agriculture, where the first crop of the year is offered to the goddess in Odisha's western districts, and younger generations seek the blessings of their elders. Murmu, originally from Odisha, conveyed her heartfelt Nuakhai greetings to all Indians, with special emphasis on the people of Odisha. In a post on X, the President stated, "On the occasion of the agriculture-based Nuakhai festival, heartfelt congratulations to all countrymen from my side, especially to the people of Odisha. This festival is a sacred opportunity to express respect for agriculture and gratitude towards farmers. It is a symbol of goodwill and intimacy. My best wishes are that Nuakhai fills everyone's life with happiness, peace, and prosperity." Governor Kambhampati, in a message on X, expressed, "My heartfelt greetings and best wishes to the people of the state on the occasion of the mass festival #Nuakhai of Western Odisha. May everyone's life be filled with happiness and prosperity by the blessings of Mother Samlei." Chief Minister Majhi extended his greetings to the people of the state, saying: "Our culture, prosperity, and symbol of unity, Nuakhai, I congratulate and salute you. May this Nuakhai, which has come carrying new hopes, fill your life with happiness, peace, and prosperity, this is what I am praying for in the cave of my heart. #Nuakhai." In a video message, Patnaik offered his heartfelt greetings, saying: "On the eve of the auspicious Nuakhai festival, I extend greetings to the people of Odisha with 'Nuakhai Juhar.'" Majhi further elaborated in a video message: "The practice of offering ‘Nuakhai Juhar’ (respect) to elders, receiving blessings, and celebrating with dance, music, pitha (cake), and pana (betel) carries forward a unique legacy of togetherness. On this day, I urge students, youth, workers, farmers, and soldiers to dedicate themselves to their responsibilities and contribute to building a developed Odisha by 2036 and a developed India by 2047." Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, representing the Sambalpur Lok Sabha constituency, expressed, "On the occasion of Nuakhai, a great festival of our region, a great agrarian community festival, I extend very warm greetings and congratulations to all the people. Nuakhai speaks of the prosperity and well-being of the farmers and agriculture." He added, "Along with that, it highlights food security for everyone. On this auspicious occasion of our major festival 'Nuakhai', we are praying to Maa Samaleswari and the great Lord Shri Jagannath for everyone's happiness, prosperity, and progress." 'Nuakhai' is celebrated with new clothes, worshipping the presiding deity, and enjoying a sumptuous meal with family. Exchanging 'Nuakhai Juhar,' a traditional greeting, among friends, relatives, and well-wishers is a major part of the festival, alongside temple rituals. The farmers of western Odisha offer their first crops of the year to their presiding deities, with the heads of the family offering rice and other food items. Major celebrations occur at the temple of Maa Samaleswari in Sambalpur, Maa Pataneswari in Bolangir, Maa Manikeswari in Kalahandi, and other locations. Previously, Nuakhai was observed at different times and days based on individual temple timings. However, since 1991, the entire state celebrates it on a unified day. The festival involves the entire western region of Odisha, encompassing around 10 districts, and sees families returning home to reconnect and seek blessings. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari emphasized that the Nuakhai festival is a gesture of gratitude to the Goddesses for ensuring the availability of food grains essential for human survival.
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