TV
The three-day Raja festival is reaching its crescendo in Odisha on the final day on Friday. The festival, which celebrates womanhood, is being observed with pomp and gaiety across the State.
After enjoying ‘poda pitha’, other special cakes, traditional delicacies, sways in swings, special Raja pans and many traditional games for the last two days, young women in the State are giving the popular festival a final hurrah with fun and frolic.
This three-day event marks the period of fertility regeneration of the earth, equivalent to the menstrual cycle which women undergo. It signifies the menstrual cycle of the earth similar to that of a woman. Similar to women, the earth is considered to be in a latent stage during these days. This resting period of the earth is when all agricultural activities are forbidden.
After the completion of Raja festival, Basumati Snana festival will be celebrated tomorrow. The festival is dedicated to mother earth. The festival is sort of a continuation of the Raja festival. Special poojas are offered to mother earth for nourishing all living beings as per the traditional ritual on that day.
Though the weather is too hot and humid today, young women across rural and urban areas have left no stone unturned to celebrate the festival with the unique amalgamation of rich tradition and fun, frolic and mouthwatering cuisines.
“Today is the last day of Raja. We want to enjoy the day up to the hilt as we have to wait for another year to celebrate the unique festival again,” said a girl from Kendrapara.
“Pan on the occasion of Raja is always special. We celebrate the festival together every year irrespective of age, caste and financial condition. Our celebrations will continue till late night,” said a woman from Kendrapara.
