Odias residing in capital complex celebrates Nuakhai Bhetghat festival
The festival is similar to all festivals of Arunachal Pradesh to worship Mother Nature for good harvest and well being of all living beings on the earth.
Itanagar
The Odia community working in various capacities in Capital Complex celebrated Nuakhai Bhetghat, the harvest festival of Odisha, in Rajiv Gandhi University campus here on Sunday.
The festival is similar to all festivals of Arunachal Pradesh to worship Mother Nature for good harvest and well being of all living beings on the earth. Odisha boasts of over 12% tribal population against national average of 8.05%.
The celebration of Nuakhai Bhetghat, an initiative of Prof S K Nayak and Dr P K Barik, begun after offering obeisance to Lord Jagganath, the living embodiment of divinity in 21st century and Maa Sambaleswari, incarnation of only Shakti at Sambalpur in western Odisha while rest Shaktipeeths are in coastal region of the state. Like Shaktippeth Kamakhya at Guwahati which is famous across the world.
This festival is celebrated in 17 countries across the world including Mali, China and African nations; said Prof Nayak to underscore its importance. Though it was due on next day of Ganesh Chaturthi, but the day varies from place to place as Odias in New Delhi and Mumbai are also celebrating it today, he added.
Terming Earth is mother of all living beings, senior journalist Pradeep Kumar exhorted all to love and care her before expecting good harvest. As the festival is harbinger of new hopes, let us walk together for a brighter tomorrow, he added.
India is known for cultural diversity and all festivals aim at peaceful coexistence of humanity for all-round development and this festival symbolizes that spirit, said RGU history dean Prof S K Singh, while citing examples of similar festivals.
Tiny tot Jigyansha Acharya (Cl-III) and Pratyush Priyadarshini Barik (LKG), Kamalini Das, NIT assistant Prof Peetisudha Meher, Bobby and Meena with their Odishi performances evoked thunderous applause from the gathering. Melodious song Rangabait Rangabati young Sambalpiri Shibani Sahani, 1st year MS (applied physics) student of NIT rented the air.
