Nuakhai 2024: Odisha Govt Announces Holiday on Sep 9

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday announced a holiday  on September 9, a day following the Nuakhai festival. 

According to the Chief Minister’s office, CM Majhi has declared September 9 as a holiday on the occasion of Nuakhai, the mass festival of Odisha.

It is to be noted that since September 8 is a Sunday, September 9 will also be a holiday. “All government offices and magisterial courts (executive) in the state will remain closed on this day. All educational institutions will also remain closed,” read a press note. 

Nuakhai is an agrarian festival celebrated primarily in Odisha, India, particularly by the Western Odisha communities. Observed the day after Ganesh Chaturthi, it marks the harvest of new rice.

Families gather to offer the season’s first produce to the local deity, followed by feasting and cultural performances. The festival symbolizes gratitude for a bountiful harvest and reinforces social bonds through community gatherings and the sharing of food.

Traditional dance forms like Sambalpuri and folk music play a significant role in the celebrations, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the region.