Bhubaneswar: Raja Parba- one of the auspicious occasions marking womanhood is celebrated across the State with much pomp and gaiety every year. But this year, the celebration has become a quiet affair sans congregation of unmarried girls at swings amid coronavirus pandemic.
The Government restrictions have dampened the festive mood but failed to affect the spirit of every Odia girl who celebrates the festival on a larger scale across every nook and corner of the State. Girls have been prepared to celebrate the festival inside the house and with family members in strict adherence to covid protocols.
Swings which play the most significant role in the celebration of the three-day festival, have been banned in public places due to the Covid pandemic. People have made alternative arrangements of swings at their homes instead of public places like mango orchard and big trees.
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The important characteristic of the festival is celebrating the menstruation of mother earth. It is believed that the earth, perceived to be a woman, menstruates during these days and takes a ceremonial bath after the three-day festival ends, During the period, ploughing and other digging activities on the soil are prohibited as a mark of respect to the mother earth. Unmarried girls and women are freed from the usual kitchen chores and other daily activities and engage themselves in merrymaking.
Men mostly in the countryside also celebrated the occasion on a different note with playing cards as agricultural activities are banned.
Different types of Pithas are another attraction of the festival. Every house prepares different kind of pithas like Poda Pitha, Arisa, Kakara, Manda and sweets and exchanges the delicacies with each other highlighting the brotherhood aspect of the festival.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted people of Odisha on the occasion praying for a good health and well-being.
Similarly, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, BJP National vice-president Baijayant Panda also extended greetings to people of the State.