# Nuakhai harvest festival in Odisha

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/nuakhai-harvest-festival-in-odisha
> Updated: 2026-09-14T10:18:14.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 2.

The Nuakhai harvest festival in western Odisha began with religious preparations to determine the auspicious timing for rituals. Priests and astrologers at the Brahmapura Temple finalized the schedule, setting the sacred window for the first offering of newly harvested rice, known as ‘Nabanna’, to the deity Maa Samaleswari for September 15.

As the festival commenced, officials described the occasion as a symbol of agricultural heritage and social harmony. The celebrations involved families offering the season’s first produce to deities, marking the traditional observance of the agrarian harvest.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-14: India celebrates Nuakhai harvest festival and Ganesh Chaturthi

India observes various cultural festivals, including the Nuakhai harvest festival in Odisha and Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations across multiple regions, featuring large-scale idols and eco-friendly initiatives.

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/odisha-seven-deaths-reported-during-ganesh-puja-festivities

### 2026-09-05: Sambalpur priests finalize auspicious timing for Nuakhai festival

The auspicious timing for Nuakhai, western Odisha's harvest festival, has been set for September 15, with the Nabanna rice offering to Maa Samaleswari scheduled between 9:40 am and 9:54 am.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sambalpur-priests-finalize-auspicious-timing-for-nuakhai-festival

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Cite as: Nuakhai harvest festival in Odisha. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/nuakhai-harvest-festival-in-odisha