Bhubaneswar/ Sambalpur | People of western Odisha on Tuesday celebrated Nuakhai, a major agrarian festival, with families offering the first harvest of the season to presiding deities and seeking blessings from elders.

The festival, which is predominantly observed in Sambalpur, Bargarh, Jharsuguda, Bolangir, Kalahandi, Nuapada, Nabarangpur, Deogarh and Sundergarh districts, was also celebrated in parts of Boudh and Angul.

People living in different parts of the state and country returned to their native places to celebrate the festival with their families.

President Droupadi Murmu, who hails from Odisha, Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik extended greetings to the people on the occasion.

Murmu said Nuakhai was not merely a traditional festival but also a symbol of social and familial bonding through community feasts and reunions with friends.

"I believe that through this festival, mutual goodwill and harmony will be further strengthened. On the occasion of Nuakhai, I wish everyone happiness, peace, and prosperity," she said in a social media post.

Majhi wished people happiness, peace and prosperity and said the blessings of Mother Samaleshwari would fill their lives with joy.

Patnaik extended a "Nuakhai Juhar" to the people, while state Congress president Bhakta Charan Das also greeted people on the occasion.

Nuakhai is traditionally observed as a thanksgiving for a good harvest, adequate rainfall and favourable weather conditions for agricultural activities. The first crop from the fields is offered to the presiding deity as part of the celebrations.

The head of each family worships the household deity and offers newly harvested rice and other food items before distributing the prasad among family members. Families traditionally sit together for a meal after the rituals.

A key tradition of the festival is 'Nuakhai Juhar' -- younger members greet their elders and seek their blessings for long life, good health, happiness and prosperity. In villages, people also visit elders in their neighbourhoods to extend greetings.

Social organisations and community groups organise 'Nuakhai Bhetghat' programmes in the evening, while cultural and other events are held in villages and towns to mark the occasion.