Umerkote, 26th Sept 2025: Over 300 years ago, members of the Kundkaria tribal family migrated from Kundkaria village near Barei in Chhattisgarh to Odisha. Today, around 6,000 people from this community reside across 30 villages in Raighar block and 14 villages in Umerkote block of Nabarangpur district. For the past three centuries, this tribal community has been faithfully observing the Nuakhai festival as a way to preserve and uphold their rich cultural heritage.
This year, the Nuakhai celebration was organized at Sirligauda village, under the Chue Panchayat of Umerkote block.
Key guests present at the event included:
- Former MLA Subash Gond,
- Former Raighar Block Chairman Naveen Nayak,
- Current Umerkote Block Chairperson Sushila Majhi,
- Senior BJD leader Devi Singh Majhi,
- Former Zilla Parishad Member Sudarshan Majhi,
- Social worker Manoj Kumar Dhal,
- Duyya Sarpanch Nilendri Majhi,
- Samiti Member Hiral School Majhi,
- Chelidangari Sarpanch Hemlal Gond,
- And respected elders and former sarpanches such as Shukdev Gond, Ishwar Gond, Shuklal Gond, and Subash Gond.
- The program was conducted by Dash Sharath Gond and Padma Ram Gond.
What Is the Nuakhai Bhaitghat Festival?
Nuakhai Bhaitghat is a unique festival that brings together the daughters and sisters of these 44 villages, who return to their maternal homes to seek blessings from their mothers. The occasion serves as an opportunity for family reunions, healing past disputes, and reinforcing community bonds.
Even if there had been any misunderstandings or conflicts among siblings, this sacred occasion helps reunite everyone in harmony.
Rituals and Traditions
On this day, the family priests—Chali Majhi, Jayaram Majhi, Shukram Gond, and Sama Gond—performed the traditional rituals and prayers. According to age-old customs, after eating chuda (flattened rice), mudhi (puffed rice), and other ritual foods, everyone participated in the Bhaitghat—a formal greeting and bonding ceremony—before departing back to their respective villages.
Discussions on Progress
On this sacred occasion, there were also discussions about the development of the Kundkaria family’s education, healthcare, and cultural preservation. Community leaders stressed the importance of continuing this legacy while also embracing opportunities for socio-economic growth.