“RAJA PARBA” STANDS OUT CELEBRATING WOMANHOOD
Raja festival stands out to celebrate the menstrual cycle, which communicates a message to the whole world that women are not impure during their periods but are in purest form which signifies the ability to bring a new auspicious life to this earth.
Bhubaneswar (The Quiver) : Raja is a three day long grand festival which falls on the month of June , celebrates womanhood. In most parts of country where menstruation is considered as a Taboo, this festival of Odisha celebrates menstruation cycle, which signifies fertility . On this day, unmarried girls wear new dresses , play cards and rejoice. Many kinds of special delicacies make this day even more special. Especially Poda Pitha is popularly made in Raja which is very tasty.
The day before first day is called Sajabaja , the day in which a unmarried women decorates themselves by applying mehendis on hands , putting alatas on foot and wearing ornaments .This day is also known as preparatory day during which the house, kitchen including grinding stones are cleaned, spices are ground for three days. The first day of Raja is called Pahili Raja.
The second day is Mithuna Sankranti , the second day of the festival signifies the beginning of the solar month of Mithuna from which the season of rain starts and the third day is Bhudaaha or Basi Raja. The final fourth day is called Basumati snana, in which the ladies bath the grinding stone as a symbol of Bhumi with turmeric paste and adore with flower, sindoor etc. All type of seasonal fruits are offered to mother Bhumi.
BELIEF BEHIND RAJA FESTIVAL
All three days of the festival are considered to be the menstruating period of Mother Earth. During the festival all agricultural operations remain suspended. As a mark of respect towards the Earth during her menstruation days, all agricultural works comes to a standstill during these days.
WHY RAJA IS SPECIAL FOR WOMAN?
Raja is a festival of the unmarried girls, the potential mothers. During three days of Raja , women are given time to get stressed out , relax and rest . They all observe the restrictions prescribed for a menstruating woman. The very first day, they rise before dawn, do their hair, rub their bodies with turmeric paste and oil and then take the purificatory bath in a river or tank. Peculiarly, bathing for the rest two days is prohibited. They don’t walk bare-foot do not scratch the do not grind, do not tear anything apart, do not cut and do not cook.
During all the three consecutive days Women are seen in the best of dresses and decorations. They take a break from their household work ,spend time on Swings, moving up and down on improvised swings, rending the village sky by singing Raja songs , playing indoor and outdoor games, eating pithas , paans and specially made foods at the houses of friends and relatives.
Raja festival stands out to celebrate the menstrual cycle, which communicates a message to the whole world that women are not impure during their periods but are in purest form which signifies the ability to bring a new auspicious life to this earth.
