Explanation: The term 'Nuakhai' is derived from 'nua' (new) and 'khai' (food), translating to 'new food.' This signifies the commencement of consuming the newly harvested rice, not the end of the season or 'old food.'

Explanation: Scholarly perspectives suggest that the conceptual underpinnings of Nuakhai may be traced to Vedic traditions, specifically the 'panchayajna,' rather than ancient Jain traditions.

Explanation: Nuakhai is posited to have evolved from the 'pralambana yajna,' the third component of the 'panchayajna.' This Vedic ritual involves the initial harvest and reverent offering of crops to the divine, a practice analogous to the central tenet of Nuakhai.

Explanation: Nuakhai signifies the commencement of the consumption of the new rice harvest, representing a new ray of hope for the agricultural community.

Explanation: The term 'Nuakhai' is derived from 'nua' (new) and 'khai' (food), translating literally to 'new food.'

Explanation: Scholarly inquiry suggests that the foundational concept of Nuakhai may be traced to Vedic antiquity, specifically relating to the 'panchayajna,' a framework of five essential activities within an agrarian society's annual cycle.

Explanation: While Nuakhai is primarily observed in Western Odisha, its celebration extends to adjoining areas of Chhattisgarh and the Simdega district of Jharkhand, indicating a broader geographical scope than solely Odisha.

Explanation: As per the lunar calendar, Nuakhai is celebrated on the fifth day of the waxing moon phase in Bhadrapada, which invariably follows Ganesh Chaturthi.

Explanation: While 'Nabanna' is a related festival in coastal Odisha, Nuakhai in Chhattisgarh is referred to as 'Navakhai Parv'.

Explanation: Historically, Nuakhai lacked a fixed date. Its observance occurred during the waxing phase of Bhadrava, typically designated by the village headman and priest, aligning with the maturation of the Kharif crop.

Explanation: The 'panjika' is instrumental in determining the auspicious date and time ('tithi' and 'lagna') for the Nuakhai festival, guiding priests in calculating the sacred 'muhurta' for the observance.

Explanation: Nuakhai is predominantly observed by the people of Western Odisha, although it is also celebrated in adjacent areas of Chhattisgarh and the Simdega district of Jharkhand.

Explanation: Nuakhai is observed on the 'panchami tithi' (fifth day) of the waxing phase of the moon in Bhadrapada, which consistently falls on the day immediately following Ganesh Chaturthi.

Explanation: The text specifies celebrations in Western Odisha, adjoining Chhattisgarh, and Simdega district of Jharkhand. Coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh are not mentioned in this context.

Explanation: The 'panjika' serves a critical function in establishing the auspicious date and time ('tithi' and 'lagna') for Nuakhai. Priests utilize this almanac to ascertain the propitious 'muhurta' for the observance.

Explanation: A traditional sweet confection known as 'Aersaa Pithaa' is customarily prepared to commemorate the Nuakhai festival.

Explanation: The determination of the 'lagan' for Nuakhai traditionally involved astrological calculations by Hindu priests, frequently in collaboration with village elders, rather than being solely decided by elders without priestly consultation.

Explanation: The festival was observed in Bhadrava, even before the complete harvest, predicated on the belief that the newly harvested grain must first be presented to the presiding deity, thereby sanctifying it before consumption.

Explanation: While Samaleswari is honored in Sambalpur, the goddess Manikeswari Devi receives the first offering of new rice in the Kalahandi region during Nuakhai.

Explanation: Preparations for Nuakhai customarily initiate approximately fifteen days before the festival's main celebration date.

Explanation: The nine steps of Nuakhai, as documented, include 'Sapha sutura' for cleanliness and 'Ghina bika' for purchasing, among other stages.

Explanation: Nuakhai is traditionally initiated at the community level, often at a local deity's temple, before proceeding to domestic celebrations.

Explanation: The established tradition designates the eldest member of the family to distribute the new harvest after it has been offered to the deity, symbolizing the communal sharing of the season's bounty.

Explanation: 'Nuakhai Juhar' specifically refers to the exchange of greetings and expressions of respect, symbolizing unity and reconciliation, rather than the ritualistic offering of the harvest.

Explanation: Evening observances typically involve the performance of folk dances and songs, known as 'Nuakhai Bhetghat,' serving as occasions for community congregation and cultural expression, rather than religious discourses and prayers.

Explanation: Nuakhai celebrations feature various traditional Sambalpuri dance forms, such as Dalkhai and Rasarkeli, which contribute to the vibrancy of the festivities.

Explanation: While Manikeswari Devi is honored in the Kalahandi region, the goddess worshipped in Sundargarh during Nuakhai is Sekharbasini.

Explanation: A traditional sweet confection known as 'Aersaa Pithaa' (Arisa Pitha) is customarily prepared to commemorate the Nuakhai festival.

Explanation: The auspicious timing ('lagan') for Nuakhai was traditionally established through astrological calculations performed by Hindu priests, frequently in collaboration with village elders.

Explanation: In Sambalpur, the presiding deity Samaleswari receives the first offering of new rice during the Nuakhai festival.

Explanation: 'Nuakhai Juhar' constitutes an exchange of greetings and mutual respect among associates, symbolizing reconciliation, the strengthening of relationships, and the fostering of unity.

Explanation: Nuakhai celebrations feature various traditional Sambalpuri dance forms, including Dalkhai, which contribute to the vibrancy of the festivities.

Explanation: The 'Juhar Bhet' tradition serves to foster unity and community spirit by facilitating the exchange of greetings, reconciliation of differences, and strengthening of social bonds.

Explanation: The goddess Sekharbasini is worshipped in Sundargarh, and her temple is uniquely opened exclusively for the Nuakhai festival, underscoring its particular significance during this period.

Explanation: Preparations for Nuakhai customarily initiate approximately fifteen days before the festival's designated date, encompassing a series of preparatory rituals and activities.

Explanation: Oral traditions posit that the current form of Nuakhai originated in the 14th century AD, during the tenure of Raja Ramai Deva, who is recognized for establishing Nuakhai as a cultural emblem of the Sambalpuri region.

Explanation: Raja Ramai Deo promoted Nuakhai to encourage settled agriculture, recognizing its necessity for generating surpluses required for state formation, rather than promoting a hunting-based economy.

Explanation: Conversely, royal patronage elevated Nuakhai from a simple agrarian festival to a significant, widely celebrated socio-religious event across the Kosal region.

Explanation: Oral accounts attribute the genesis of the current form of Nuakhai to the 14th century AD, during the tenure of Raja Ramai Deva, who is recognized for establishing Nuakhai as a cultural emblem of the Sambalpuri region.

Explanation: Oral accounts attribute the genesis of the current form of Nuakhai to the 14th century AD, during the tenure of Raja Ramai Deva, the progenitor of the Patna State, who is recognized for establishing Nuakhai as a cultural emblem of the Sambalpuri region.

Explanation: Raja Ramai Deo promoted Nuakhai to encourage settled agriculture, recognizing its necessity for generating surpluses required for state formation and sustainability within the Sambalpuri territory.

Explanation: Royal patronage catalyzed the transformation of Nuakhai from a modest agrarian observance into a large-scale, communal socio-religious event, thereby enhancing its status and promoting its widespread celebration.

Explanation: Nuakhai is regarded as the most significant social festival in Western Odisha and adjoining areas of Chhattisgarh, underscoring its profound cultural importance rather than being considered least important.

Explanation: The standardization effort in the 1990s, specifically in 1991, was successful after an earlier attempt in the 1960s failed. The successful proposal led to the festival becoming an official holiday.

Explanation: In modern urban settings, the traditional practice of determining the 'tithi' and 'lagna' through priestly consultation and elder consensus is generally not followed.

Explanation: Contrary to the assertion, Western Odia communities in various Indian cities, including Mumbai and Kolkata, continue to celebrate Nuakhai, thereby preserving their cultural connections and community ties.

Explanation: The official recognition and standardization of Nuakhai as a holiday primarily occurred following successful efforts in 1991, building upon earlier, less successful attempts in the 1960s.

Explanation: Standardization efforts have led to a diminution of Nuakhai's original scale and diversity, although its cultural significance persists.

Explanation: Nuakhai cultivates unity and community spirit through practices such as 'Juhar Bhet' and communal gatherings ('Nuakhai Bhetghat'), in addition to individual family rituals.

Explanation: Western Odia individuals residing in diverse Indian metropolises have maintained the tradition of celebrating Nuakhai in their new locales, thereby preserving cultural connections and fostering community solidarity.

Explanation: The primary significance of Nuakhai lies in its role as a festival welcoming the new rice harvest, symbolizing hope and renewal for the agricultural community.

Explanation: These communities maintain their cultural connection by organizing and celebrating Nuakhai in their adopted locations, fostering community bonds and cultural continuity.

Explanation: Standardization efforts have led to a diminution of Nuakhai's original scale and diversity, although its cultural significance persists.

Explanation: The consistent primary objective across various tribal harvest festivals is to obtain social sanction for the new crop and to seek divine blessings for future abundance, thereby honoring the agricultural cycle and expressing gratitude.

Explanation: 'Nabanna' designates the new harvest festival observed in the coastal districts of Odisha. It shares the core objective with Nuakhai: the celebration and social sanctioning of the new crop, accompanied by appeals for divine benediction.

Explanation: 'Nabanna' designates the new harvest festival observed in the coastal districts of Odisha, sharing the core objective with Nuakhai.

Explanation: The Oraon tribe celebrates 'Nawakhani,' which is identified as a harvest festival analogous to Nuakhai.

Explanation: The overarching objective shared by numerous tribal harvest festivals is to secure social sanction for the new crop and to solicit divine blessings for continued agricultural prosperity.