Western Odisha Community in Anand Celebrate Nuakhai

Western Odisha Community in Anand Celebrate Nuakhai

Mass agrarian festival ‘Nuakhai’ was celebrated with much fanfare by the Western Odisha community residing in Anand, Gujarat. The celebrations took place in strict adherence to social distancing norms and other Covid-19 guidelines in the milk capital of India.

This year, members of the Western Odisha community visited Neelkanth Mahadev temple and ISKCON temple at Vallabh Vidyanagar and offered prayers to Maa Sureswari, Maa Khambeswari, Maa Maheswari and Maa Samaleswari for the well-being of people across the world during the pandemic. ‘Navanna’ and Prasad serving took place as per the schedule.

Dr Sanjib Kumar Karmee, one of the organisers, said the as part of the celebration, an online essay competition on the development of Western Odisha and promotion of Kosali language was held among school children. Around 30 children participated in the competition.

Janaki Sahu, a lecturer, said, “People of Western Odisha living in various cities of Gujarat celebrate all Odia festivals to keep our culture and traditions alive. Nuakhai is a very important festival for us. But this year, there were a few participants due to the Covid-19 pandemic.”

Community members of Gujarat, Bihar and Chhattisgarh also participated in the celebrations.