India celebrates Nuakhai harvest festival and Ganesh Chaturthi

Various religious and cultural festivals are being observed across India. In Odisha, western districts are celebrating Nuakhai, an agrarian harvest festival. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi described the occasion as a symbol of social harmony and agricultural heritage, where families offer the first produce of the season to deities.

Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations are widespread, featuring massive idols and large crowds. In Guwahati, a 45-foot idol has drawn significant attention, while in Jaipur, major temples reported a massive influx of devotees. In Bhubaneswar, some groups are adopting eco-friendly practices, such as the Bakul Foundation’s ‘Tree Ganesh’ initiative, which uses a living tree and natural materials to avoid the environmental impact of idol immersion.

Economic factors are also influencing celebrations. In Cuttack, rising silver prices have led some puja committees to replace traditional silver backdrops with more affordable brass alternatives. Meanwhile, in Dehradun, markets have seen a surge in demand for both large community idols and smaller clay versions for home use.