Raja festival begins in Odisha

Category : State Published on: June 16 2023

Share on facebook

The three-day Raja festival began in Odisha with fervor and gaiety on 14 June.
Raja falls on the first day of the month of ‘Asadha’. As per the tradition, it is believed that Mother Earth menstruates and prepares herself for future agricultural activities with the arrival of monsoon.
No agricultural activities are carried out these three days.
‘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.
The first day of the popular festival is known as ‘Pahili Raja’.
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