Odisha gears up to celebrate Pahili Raja tomorrow

Bhubaneswar: Amidst the ongoing debate and social campaign over proper name of the festival - Raja, Odisha is all set to celebrate the Pahili Raja tomorrow with pomp and grandeur.

From villages to cities, the preparations for festival have almost reached its final stages with girls busy in doing last minute shopping for the three-day festivities.

From buying new dresses to decorating their hands and feet with mehendi and alata, the girls are not leaving any stone unturned to make sure that they stand out among the crowd whenever they move out of thier homes to play swing, enjoy paan and go merry making with their friends.

Every Odia household celebrates the festival and the women get busy making a variety of mouth watering dishes including pithas or pancakes.

Special arrangements have been made in Twin City of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar to celebrate Raja festival with special discounts offered by various shopping malls and other commercial centers.

Odisha Culture and Tourism Department has also drawn up special measures for 'Raja Mahotsav' at Bhubaneswar Panthanivas from June 13 to June 16. One can enjoy varieties of pithas, paans and swings and celebrate the festival with their loved ones.