Bhubaneswar: More than 5,000 members of the Odia community gathered at KTPO, Whitefield in Bengaluru, on Sunday for the 27th Nuakhai Bhetghat-2026 organised by Juhar Parivar, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of western Odisha. The programme began with prayers to Maa Samaleswari and featured cultural performances, traditional cuisine and community interactions.Bengaluru Central MP PC Mohan, the chief guest, extended Nuakhai greetings and lauded Juhar Parivar’s efforts to preserve Odia culture outside the state. He said Nuakhai signifies unity, tradition and cultural identity and appreciated the community for staying connected to its roots while contributing to Bengaluru’s social fabric.A message from President Droupadi Murmu was also read out on the occasion. In her greeting, President described Nuakhai as a symbol of Odisha’s agrarian tradition, social harmony and cultural values. She noted that the festival strengthens bonds of brotherhood and promotes cooperation, mutual respect and collective prosperity among people.“Nuakhai is more than a festival for us. It is an emotion that connects every Odia to our roots, culture and traditions. Through Nuakhai Bhetghat, Juhar Parivar strives to bring the Odia community together, strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and pass on the rich heritage of western Odisha to the younger generation,” said Shovan Dash, president of the organisation.Social workers Sandeep Patnaik and Shailesh Dani announced contributions of Rs 11 lakh each towards the proposed Maa Samaleswari Temple in Bengaluru, taking the total pledged amount to Rs 22 lakh. Dash said that the overwhelming participation of more than 5,000 people and the support extended for the proposed Maa Samaleswari Temple in Bengaluru inspire us to continue this cultural movement with greater dedication in the years ahead.The prestigious Juhar Samman was conferred on social worker Sujit Kumar Dash of Bargarh for his contribution to society. The cultural segment featured Sambalpuri folk dances, devotional music, comedy, live singing and a fashion show. A major attraction was popular Sambalpuri singer rockstar Ruku Suna’s attempt to enter a record book by rendering 126 songs continuously on the stage. The event, led by Dash and his team, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to preserving the traditions of western Odisha and strengthening community bonds among Odias living outside their home state.
