Nuakhai, also known as Navakhai, is an agricultural festival in India enjoyed mostly by the people of western Odisha and southern Chhattisgarh. It is usual in Nuakhai juhar to celebrate the fresh rice crop. This holiday is observed one day after Ganesh Chaturthi, a harvest festival that welcomes the new rice crop. Food is khai, and nua means new.
Nuakhai Juhar 2025
Panchami tithi (fifth day) of lunar fortnight of Bhadrabaa. Lagna time is determined according to the zodiac constellation of Maa Pataneswari and Maa Samaleswari. According to the horoscope and the previous tradition, the fifth full moon of Vadrab month is an auspicious moment, so the people of Balangir district and western Odisha will eat Nabanna on that day.
According to the decision of Nabanna Lagna Nirnayak Committee of Balangir District Astrologer Pandit Council, this Lagna has been determined. This lagna rises from Patneshwari and Maharaja Rashi Nakshatra. On Nuankhai day, at this time, the people of Balangir will eat nua. According to tradition, a special type of grain is planted near Isthadeva. Later, the food cooked in the new rice is relished and accepted as Prasad.