The correct answer is: a) Nuakhai.
Nuakhai is a harvest festival celebrated with much enthusiasm in Odisha. It is a major festival for the people of Odisha and is celebrated with great pomp and show. The festival marks the beginning of the new agricultural year and is a time for thanksgiving to the gods for the bountiful harvest.
Nuakhai is celebrated on the first day of the month of Chaitra (March-April) according to the Odia calendar. The festival is a time for family reunions and feasting. People wear new clothes and visit each other’s houses. Special dishes are prepared on the occasion of Nuakhai, such as ‘pakhala bhaat’ (rice cooked in water), ‘sabudana khichdi’ (a dish made from tapioca pearls), and ‘chhena poda’ (a sweet dish made from cottage cheese).
Nuakhai is also a time for religious activities. People visit temples and offer prayers to the gods. They also take part in various rituals and ceremonies.
Nuakhai is a major festival in Odisha and is celebrated with great enthusiasm by the people of the state. It is a time for thanksgiving, family reunions, and feasting.