Happy Raja Trends: Know What People Have To Say About This Unique Festival Of Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Happy Raja and Raja Parba are trending on Twitter with people extolling the ‘progressive’ Odisha, which celebrates menstruation and womanhood while embracing the first rains.

‘Raja’ is derived from the word ‘Rajaswala’ which means menstruating women.

It is believed that during this period Mother Earth menstruates and prepare herself for future agricultural activities with the arrival of the monsoon.

The festival is also synonymous with varieties of cakes (pithas) – Poda Pitha’, ‘Manda’, ‘Kakara’, ‘Arisha’ and ‘Chakuli’. 

While the COVID-induced lockdown had put a stop to community celebration and swings, young girls in the state on Monday welcomed Pahili Raja by taking bath after anointing their bodies with turmeric paste and dressing up in their best attire. There will be games of cards and ludo and small swings at home.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended best wishes on the auspicious occasion of Raja Parba. “I pray for the good health and well-being of everyone,” he tweeted.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also greeted the people of Odisha on the occasion. He urged them to make this Raja special by observing the festival by adhering to COVID-19 guidelines and staying at home.

Artist Sudarsan Pattnaik has also shared a sand art of his to celebrate the three-day festival 

Congress MP Naveen Jindal also greeted the people of Odisha on this unique three-day festival.

And this is how Twitterati feel about the festival:

And the debate on whether to spell it as Raja or Rajo continues…