While the entire western Odisha observed the Nuankhai festival on September 10, it was also later celebrated outside the State with much pumps and gaiety.
The Juhar Parivar organised Nuankhai Bhet Ghat-2013 at the HAl convention centre in Bangalore on September 22. The programme began with religious fervour by worshiping Maa Samaleswari, followed by a lineup of cultural shows.
The festival has been celebrated in Bangalore since 2000 where the Juhar Parivar felicitates eminent persons from western Odisha. This year, film director Sabyasachi Mohapatra and sports personalities Madhri Mehta and Roshnara Parween and Arun Nayak were honoured.
Sambalpuri movie Salabudha by Sabyasachi Mohapatra was screened on the occasion. Traditional Sambalpuri delicacies made by a special cook from Odisha were served to the guests and others.
There was also a unique fashion show on Samabalpuri handlooms and fabrics. The costumes were designed by young Odia designer Sujit Meher, who worked for the Bollywood movie Raanjhanaa. Banglore-based models and students of fashion designing walked the ramp by wearing Meher-designed dresses.
The Juhar Parivar is endeavouring to build a temple of Maa Samaleswari, identical to the one in Sambalpur, in Bangalore, informed its advisor Biswajit Pradhan.
It is also trying to name a residential colony after freedom fighter Veer Surendra Sai, he said.