NUAKHAI or NABANNA is a social annual event to celebrate and acknowledge the benevolence of Mother Earth in Western Orissa. Literally NUAKHAI means partaking of the first grains of paddy after harvesting the Kharif crop. This is held on a predetermined auspicious day in the month of Bhadrav corresponding to August- September of the English Calendar.
The significance of this festival lies more in its socio-cultural content rather than its religious orritualistic aspect. NUAKHAI is nearly akin to the Onam Festival of Kerala or the Bhogali Bihu of Assam.
Related to the agrarian life and activities of the people of more than ten districts
