Categories: Uncategorized

Patrapada To Celebrate Raja With 151 Swings

Bhubaneswar: The laughter and giggles are hard to miss. It is a celebration of a different kind, both progressive and liberal. While it is only recently that India opened up to discuss problems related to menstrual cycle, Odisha has been celebrating womanhood by likened it to Mother Earth’s rejuvenation and acknowledging the need for her to rest during these three days.

Here, we are talking about Raja or the Swing Festival. It is all about ‘Poda Pitha’, new dress and sarees and swings, as girls and women shun daily household chores and indulge in merrymaking.

Keeping with the tradition, 151 swings have been put up at Patrapada in Odisha capital.

“We have been celebrating Raja festival since 2011. Initially, we had installed only 30 swings. In 2017, there were 121 swings and this year, the number crossed 150,” said Sports and Cultural Vice-President of Maharaja Cricket Association Rabindra Nath Sahoo.

It started with a plantation drive in which Simulia saplings were sown on around 14 acres  in 1991-92. “As the trees became big, we started putting up swings. Once all trees grow their height, we can have 500 swings at one place,” he said.

People from Patrapada, Sijua, Dumduma, Khordha, Bhubaneswar and Cuttack also come here to celebrate the occasion, he added.

Besides, Mehendi, Puchi, Jhoti and Muruja competitions will also be held on these three days, informed Prangya Priyadarshini Sahoo, host of the cultural events.

“We have Hula Huli, conch blowing and balloon blowing competition and also that for ‘Poda Pitha’ preparation. For the boys, we have been organising chess and card contests,” she added.

OB Bureau

Recent Posts

IREDA Sanctions Over Rs 3000 Cr For Green Energy Projects In Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA) has sanctioned over Rs 3,000 crore for…

18 minutes ago

Sex With Dead Body Horrendous Act, But Not Rape: Chhattisgarh High Court

Raipur: In a significant observation, the Chhattisgarh High Court has said that engaging in sexual intercourse…

32 minutes ago

HC Asks Odisha Govt To Fill Up Vacant Junior Teacher Posts Immediately

Cuttack: The Orissa High Court on Monday reportedly directed the state government to immediately fill…

35 minutes ago

40 Youths Stuck In Maldives On Job Promise Plead For Safe Return To Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Over 40 youths, lured to Maldives with promises of lucrative jobs in a private…

45 minutes ago

No Attempts To Intimidate British Citizens Would Be Accepted: UK Junior Min After Sikh Groups Allege Harassment By Indian Govt

London: After a number of Sikhs living in the UK alleged that they were being…

59 minutes ago

Will Elon Musk Be De Facto US President? Check Donald Trump’s Reaction

New York: Elon Musk has emerged as a key man in President-elect Donald Trump’s administration, which…

1 hour ago

This website uses cookies.