Bhubaneswar, Aug 24 - Refusing to let the spectre of drought overwhelm them, people in Orissa celebrated the agricultural festival of Nuakhai by offering the first crop to the gods.

Nuakhai, which literally means eating the first crop, is celebrated to mark the new paddy.

Though it is observed across the state, it is a major festival in about 10 districts in the western part of Orissa.

'This is the most important festival for us. And we make it a point to head home during the festival to join in the celebrations. It is a great feeling to be back home during Nuakhai,' said Raj Kumar Sahu, a software engineer from Bangalore.

People from all walks of life, even the very poor, dress in their best to offer the new yield to the presiding deities and then eat the offerings.