Expressbuzz, Aug 25, 2009
SAMBALPUR: Nuakhai, the agrarian festival of Western Orissa was celebrated with pomp and gaiety in Sambalpur and across western Orissa today. However in rural pockets the celebration remained subdued with drought looming large.
The newly harvested rice (navanna) was offered to the Goddess Samaleswari, the presiding deity of Sambalpur at the auspicious moment.
During the same time the households of Sambalpur town also offered the Navanna to their respective presiding deity and Goddess Laxmi as a mark of gratitude for a bumper harvest, good rain and a favourable farming weather. While it is Goddess Samaleswari in Sambalpur, it is Patneswari in Balangir, Sureshwari in Sonepur, Sekharbasini in Sundargarh and Manikeswari in Kalahandi who were worshipped today. The paddy is given importance as the grain of rice is considered a symbol of manifestation of life itself.
The advent of modernisation has however brought in a vast change in the way the festival is celebrated in some households.
Though traditional dishes like Muga Bara, Rasi Bara, Manda Pitha, Kakra Pitha, Kheeri and preparations from Saru Patra, Makhan Sag, Karadi were common non-vegetarian preparations have of late creeped into the menu list which has become a matter of debate. During the celebration the streets of Sambalpur town wore a deserted look with denizens preferring to spend time with family members. However, a long beeline of people were seen in Samaleswari Temple.
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