Western Odisha Gears Up for Nuakhai, Two Villages Set Example of Unity

Western Odisha is all set to celebrate Nuakhai, the agrarian festival that symbolises gratitude, togetherness and the sharing of emotions. Despite living far away from their hometowns, people have begun returning home to celebrate the festival with their families and communities.

Nuakhai is not just a festival of consuming the new harvest. It is also a celebration of relationships and social harmony. On this occasion, people set aside past differences, exchange greetings and seek blessings from elders through the traditional ‘Juhar Bhet’.

At a time when disputes and differences among family members sometimes prevent even brothers from celebrating festivals together, villagers of Dahi Mal and Jalia under Belpada block in Balangir district have been setting a unique example of unity for the past eight years.

Around 1,000 families comprising nearly 5,000 people from the two villages come together every year to celebrate Nuakhai collectively with great enthusiasm and traditional fervour.

Ahead of the festival, the Gauntia of the two villages, accompanied by traditional music, performs rituals and worships the respective village deities. After seeking the consent and blessings of the village deity, the Jharankar and Gauntia visit households across both villages and invite villagers to participate in the community Nuakhai celebration.

Respecting the call of the village elders and traditional leaders, people from both villages come together on Nuakhai day and sit collectively to share the new harvest. The celebration becomes an occasion where social differences and personal grievances take a back seat, strengthening the bond among villagers.

Women also play a significant role in organising the community celebration. From preparations for the feast to various household responsibilities, their contribution remains an important part of the festival.

With the preparations now in their final stage, the residents of Jalia and Dahi Mal are eagerly waiting for the big day. Tomorrow, thousands of villagers from the two communities will come together to celebrate Nuakhai and share the first harvest as one large family.

The collective celebration of Nuakhai in these two villages stands as a powerful example of how age-old traditions can strengthen social harmony, brotherhood and community bonding.