Raja Parba- Odisha’s Famous Festival

Raja Parba festival has started being celebrated in Odisha on June 14, 2021. It is a 3-day festival that celebrates womanhood.

Key Points

• It is believed that, during this period Mother Earth menstruates and prepares herself for future agricultural activities as the monsoon arrives.
• This festival is synonymous with varieties of cakes (pithas). Thus, Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) has also launched a special programme named ‘Pitha on Wheels’.
• During 3 days, women don’t work.

About Raja Parba

Raja Parba is also known as Mithuna Sankranti. It is a three-day-long festival of celebrating womanhood in Odisha. Second day of the festival marks the beginning of solar month of Mithuna, on which season of rains starts. It is believed that mother Goddess Earth undergoes menstruation during first three days. Fourth day is called Vasumati Snana or ceremonial bath of Bhudevi. Name Raja came from Sanskrit word ‘Rajas’ which means menstruation. When a woman menstruates, she is called ‘Rajaswala’ or a menstruating woman. This festival became more popular in medieval time as an agricultural holiday marking worship of Bhudevi.

When and how it is celebrated?

This festival falls in mid-June. First day is called Pahili Raja, second day is Mithuna Sankranti while the third day is Bhudaaha or Basi Raja. Final fourth day is called Basumati snana on which ladies bath the grinding stone as a symbol of Bhumi with turmeric paste. All type of seasonal fruits is offered to Bhumi. Day before first day is called Sajabaja, during which house, kitchen including grinding stones are cleaned and spices are ground for three days. Women and girls take rest from work.

Month: Current Affairs - June, 2021