Bhubaneswar, Sept. 10 -- Nuakhai, one of the major community festivals of western Odisha, has been celebrated since ancient times and remains closely linked with farming, farmers and nature. From Akshaya Tritiya, when farmers perform the Akhimuthi Anukula ritual, to harvesting paddy and bringing it home, several traditional festivals mark different stages of cultivation.

Nuakhai holds a special place among these traditions as it marks the offering of the first harvest to the presiding deity. The festival also has a unique connection with nature, with different communities using different varieties of forest leaves as part of their traditional celebrations.

On Akshaya Tritiya, farmers worship Mother Earth and pray for good rainfall befor...