Bhubaneswar: In Odisha, the three-day Raja festival began today with the celebration of Pahili Raja, ushering in the onset of the monsoon and the Odia month of Ashadha.
The festival symbolises reverence for Mother Earth and reflects the state’s rich agrarian traditions. A festive spirit has gripped both rural and urban areas across the state, with enthusiastic participation from people of all age groups.
Young girls are marking the occasion by taking traditional baths, wearing new clothes, and adorning themselves with alta on their feet and mehendi on their hands. In villages, Raja swings hung from trees have become centres of celebration as girls sang traditional Raja songs while enjoying the festivities. Boys participated in recreational activities such as Ludo, card games, and the traditional game of Bagudi.
The Raja festival has begun across Odisha from today with the observance of Pahili Raja. One of the state’s most cherished cultural celebrations, Raja honours womanhood and symbolises the fertility and regenerative cycle of Mother Earth. The festival derives its name from Rajaswala, reflecting the belief that the earth, like women, undergoes a period of rest and rejuvenation.
Consequently, agricultural activities have remained suspended during this period. Women and girls are at the heart of the festivities. They are adorned in new attire, relieved from household chores, and seen participating in traditional customs including swings, folk songs and community celebrations.
Homes across Odisha are resonating with the aroma of festive delicacies such as Poda Pitha, Arisa Pitha, Chakuli Pitha and the popular Raja Paan, which are being shared with family, neighbours and friends. Raja is a unique celebration of womanhood and Odisha’s enduring reverence for nature and its life-sustaining processes.