Bhubaneswar, Sept. 2 -- https://images.odishatv.in/uploadimage/library/16_9/16_9_0/recent_photo_1756789063.webp
The people of Odisha's Kalahandi will mark Nuakhai on Tuesday after the newly harvested rice, known as Nabanna, is ceremonially offered to Goddess Maa Manikeswari. Observed every year on the Panchami Tithi of Bhadrava month, the festival holds a sacred place in western Odisha, where it symbolises gratitude for the first crop of the season.
As per the schedule, the auspicious window for the offering was set between 8:45 a.m. and 9:05 a.m. After the new harvest was ceremonially presented to the deity, devotees received Nua Chuda (flattened rice) prepared from the fresh grain as temple prasada. Families will then observe the tradit...