Nuakhai is a festival observed by the mass over the entire western Orissa, particularly Sambalpuri cultural area. Nuakhai is observed welcoming the new rice-paddy of the season. In this point of view, one can say that this is an agricultural based festival. No one for sure, can tell since how long this tradition is continuing. It is rather difficult to ascertain any age, as ‘Arnna’ rice paddy, is offered to the Gods since long. Nuakhai is a festival observed by the mass over the entire western Orissa, particularly Sambalpuri cultural area. Nuakhai is observed welcoming the new rice-paddy of the season. In this point of view, one can say that this is an agricultural based festival. No one for sure, can tell since how long this tradition is continuing. It is rather difficult to ascertain any age, as ‘Arnna’ rice paddy, is offered to the Gods since long.