Balangir: The Palace came alive as the royal seat witnessed the traditional fervor of Nuakhai, the agrarian festival of western Odisha. The historic courtyard resounded with the echoing beats of the dhol, nishan, and mahuri, creating an atmosphere thick with heritage and collective devotion.
Marking the auspicious occasion, Balangir MLA Shri Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo and his wife, Ace Education Administrator Shrimati Meghna Singh Deo, extended warm greetings to the people, wishing prosperity, health, and happiness across the region.
From early morning, the palace grounds bustled with elaborate preparations as family elders gathered to offer the nabanna, the newly harvested rice crop, to the deity. Dressed in vibrant Sambalpuri handlooms, women adorned the floor with intricate jhoti patterns using rice paste, celebrating the land that sustains the community. The fragrance of freshly cooked sweet pitha and steaming rice mixed with sandalwood paste filled the air, marking a time of deep gratitude to Mother Earth.
After the sacred offerings, the heart of the celebration took over through Nuakhai Juhar. Elders extended their blessings as younger family members touched their feet, reinforcing bonds of respect, unity, and forgiveness. Distances dissolved as relatives and well-wishers gathered to share the ceremonial feast from stitched sal leaf plates, keeping age-old communal customs alive within the historic grounds.
Immersed in the sacred festivities within the ancestral palace walls, Deputy Chief Minister Shri Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Senior Lawmaker Shri Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo, and Ace Education Administrator Shrimati Meghna Singh Deo joined the family and community in honoring age-old traditions.
As evening fell, the celebration shifted into joyous folk performances. Dancers performed the rhythmic Rasarkeli and Dalkhai steps, their silver jewelry jingling to the rustic beats. The presence of the leaders alongside the people at Balangir Palace served as a powerful reminder of how deeply rooted western Odisha remains in its ancestral soil, honoring harvest, tradition, and togetherness with undiminished passion.