The nationwide bandh against diesel price hike and FDI in retail failed to dampen the festive cheer in Sambalpur on the occasion of Nuakhai on Thursday.
Hundreds of devotees thronged to the Maa Samaleswari shrine here for the ritualistic offering of rice to the presiding deity. “The ceremony of offering rice to Maa Samaleswari commenced in the morning as per the time fixed by the pundits. All rituals were carried out as per the prevailing custom and tradition,” said Ambika Ray, a priest at the shrine. The temple trust also had made elaborate arrangements for the convenience of the large number of devotees, sources said.
People also celebrated Nuakhai in their homes by wearing new clothes and cooking special dishes. Farmers also celebrated the festival by offering puja in their The farmers also celebrated the festival with offering puja in their agricultural fields. “organized in Sambalpur by various organizations, including Odisha Sanskrutik Samaj and Samaleswari Yubak Sangh.
