Raja Parba — The Festival Celebrating Womanhood
Raja Parba (ରଜ ପର୍ବ) is a unique three-day festival celebrated in Odisha that honors womanhood and the Earth's fertility. Unlike any other Indian festival, Raja is based on the belief that during this time, Mother Earth menstruates as she prepares for the coming agricultural season.
The Name "Raja"
The word "Raja" comes from "Rajaswala" (meaning a menstruating woman in Sanskrit). The festival occurs during mid-June, coinciding with the beginning of the monsoon and the agricultural cycle.
The Three Days
Raja Parba spans three days, each with its own significance:
- ✦Pahili Raja (First Day) — Preparation and welcoming
- ✦Mithuna Sankranti (Second Day) — The main celebration day
- ✦Bhu Daaha or Basi Raja (Third Day) — Farewell rituals
There's also a fourth day called Basumati Snana, when the Earth is ceremonially cleansed.
Traditions and Customs
During Raja, several beautiful customs are observed:
- ✦Women don't do household work — respecting the Earth's rest period
- ✦Bare feet touching the ground is discouraged — as Mother Earth is resting
- ✦Swinging on rope swings is a beloved tradition
- ✦Games like cards, ludo, and Kabaddi are played
- ✦Special foods are prepared
"The Earth, like a woman, needs rest before she can be fertile again."
The Foods of Raja
Raja is famous for its special delicacies:
- ✦Poda Pitha — The iconic baked rice cake
- ✦Manda Pitha — Steamed dumplings with coconut filling
- ✦Kakara Pitha — Fried sweet pastries
- ✦Arisa Pitha — Rice and jaggery cakes
Songs and Swings
One of the most beautiful aspects of Raja is young women and girls swinging on decorated rope swings hung from mango trees. Traditional Raja songs (ରଜ ଗୀତ) fill the air:
"ରଜ ପର୍ବ ଆସିଲା, ଝୁଲି ବସିଲା..." ("Raja has come, sit on the swing...")
Significance Today
Raja Parba is one of the few festivals in the world that:
- ✦Celebrates menstruation openly and positively
- ✦Gives women a break from work
- ✦Honors the Earth as a feminine, nurturing force
In modern times, Raja has become a symbol of gender positivity and environmental consciousness.
Related: Odia Culture • Famous Foods of Odisha