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Nuakhai, the agricultural festival of western Odisha that welcomes the season's new rice, was observed on 15 September 2026; PM Modi sent 'Nuakhai Juhar' greetings in English and Odia.
'Nua' means new and 'khai' means food; it falls on the panchami (fifth day) of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada.
Newly harvested rice (nabanna) is first offered to the presiding deity — Goddess Samaleswari at Sambalpur — before families eat it together; the tradition is linked to the Chauhan ruler Ramai Deva of Patnagarh.
| Festival | State | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Nuakhai | Odisha (western) | Bhadrapada (Aug-Sep) — new rice |
| Onam | Kerala | Chingam (Aug-Sep) |
| Nabanna | West Bengal | Agrahayan (Nov-Dec) — new rice |
| Pongal | Tamil Nadu | Thai (January) |
| Bhogali (Magh) Bihu | Assam | January |
Nuakhai is the chief social festival of western Odisha, centred on Sambalpur (Samaleswari temple) and Patnagarh in Balangir, the old seat of the Chauhan rulers.
General Awareness > Art & Culture > Festivals and states
"Onam" is a harvest festival primarily celebrated in which state?
Answer: Kerala
"Bihu" is the folk dance of which Indian state?
Answer: Assam
The newly harvested crop offered to the deity during Nuakhai
Festival greeting exchanged on Nuakhai