Sambalpur: The lagna (propitious moment) for celebrating western Odisha's mass festival Nuakhai was fixed for September 14.

As per the schedule, the Nabanna (new rice) will be offered to goddess Samaleswari, the presiding deity of Sambalpur, between 8.10 am and 8.40 am on September 14, a day after Ganesh Chaturthi.

Later, people will celebrate the festival with family members, relatives and friends with offering delicious dishes and food items.

Worth mentioning, the lagna for Nuakhai is decided on next day of Janmashtami by the Brahmamandap Pandit Mahasabha here every year.

Nuakhai has been celebrated for ages with great fervor in western Odisha districts of Sambalpur, Sambalpur, Sundergarh, Kalahandi, Bolangir, Bargarh, Subarnapur, Deogarh, Jharsuguda and Boudh to welcome the new paddy crop.