Minister Prithviraj Harichandan invokes Maa Samaleswari’s blessings and extends heartfelt Nuakhai greetings, highlighting the festival’s message of family happiness, cultural identity and community harmony
GTNS, BBSR, SEPTEMBER 15, 2026 , Nuakhai, one of western Odisha’s most cherished cultural and agrarian festivals, has once again brought together the values of harvest, faith, family and social bonding. On the occasion, Minister Prithviraj Harichandan extended his warm greetings to the people, invoking the blessings of Maa Samaleswari for happiness, prosperity and well-being in every household.
In his Nuakhai message, Harichandan wished that every family’s life would remain filled with happiness and togetherness. His greeting carried a strong cultural sentiment associated with Nuakhai, where the celebration of the new harvest is closely linked with gratitude, family relationships and community traditions.
Maa Samaleswari at the Heart of the Greeting
Invoking Maa Samaleswari, Harichandan prayed for the continued blessings of the presiding deity of Sambalpur and western Odisha. He expressed his wish that people across the region and beyond would be blessed with prosperity, peace and good health.
The reference to Maa Samaleswari also reflects the deep spiritual connection between Nuakhai and the cultural traditions of western Odisha, where the festival carries significance far beyond the consumption of the season’s first produce.
A Festival Built Around Family and Community
Nuakhai is traditionally a time when families come together, exchange greetings and seek blessings from elders. The spirit of “Nuakhai Juhar” represents respect, affection and social harmony.
Harichandan’s message placed this family-oriented dimension at the centre of his greetings, wishing happiness not only for individuals but for their families as a whole.
Harvest, Faith and Cultural Identity
At its core, Nuakhai connects agricultural life with spiritual faith. The arrival of new grain symbolises a fresh beginning, while traditional customs reinforce the relationship between people, land and community.
For western Odisha, the festival is also an important expression of regional cultural identity. From traditional food and rituals to family gatherings and the exchange of “Juhar”, Nuakhai continues to carry generations of cultural memory.
A Message of Prosperity and Well-Being
The minister’s greeting ultimately focused on three enduring aspirations associated with the festival — happiness, prosperity and good health. By invoking Maa Samaleswari, the message connected these wishes with the spiritual traditions of Nuakhai.
As families across western Odisha celebrate the festival, the message of “Nuakhai Juhar” once again reflects the festival’s larger meaning: celebrating a new beginning while strengthening the bonds that hold families and communities together.
Nuakhai Juhar!