Raja Parba: When Odisha Celebrates Menstruation & Womanhood

Bhubaneswar: Preparations are in full swing for celebration of three-day Raja Parba, a unique festival celebrated each year during the month of Asadha, in Odisha. During this period, it is believed that Bhudevi (earth) menstruates during this period and prepares herself for future agricultural activities.

‘Raja’ is derived from the word ‘Rajaswala’ which means menstruating women. Each and every woman is compared with the Bhudevi and given a special place in this festival. She would not have to work for 4 days and be allowed to take rest. They don’t walk barefoot, do not scratch the earth, do not grind, do not tear anything apart, do not cut and do not cook.

It begins with ‘Saja Baja’ when young girls take bath after anointing their bodies with turmeric paste and all preparations are done to celebrate the three-day festivities. On Wednesday, they would wear their best attire for Pahili Raja. There will be games of cards and ludo and swings. The second day is called Mithun Sankranti; the third day is called ‘Bhu Daha’, or Basi Raja. The fourth day i.e. the last day of the festival is called Basumati Snan.

“Banaste dakila gaja

barasake thare asichhi raja

ani kete sajabaja”.

The first lines of the festival song mean ” The elephants are calling in the forest, the once in a year festival has come, bringing loads of adornments with it”.

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