RAJA PARBA – The Festival Of Odisha Celebrating Womanhood

Today, I will write about a very popular festival of Odisha – “Raja Parba”, which is going to start from this weekend. And I can’t help but hum this very popular folk-song from Odisha, commemorating RAJA PARBA, while I sit down to write. The first stanza goes something like this :

ବନସ୍ତେ ଡାକିଲା ଗଜ

ବରଷକେ ଥରେ ଆସିଛି ରଜ,

ଆସିଛି ରଜ ଲୋ

ଘେନି ନୂଆ ସଜବାଜ ।

Amidst the current pandemic crisis in the world, social distancing is the key. So, one of the many things that has been hit hard and taken a backseat is – the fanfare and celebrations of Indian festivals. So, I thought of writing about one of the most popular festivals celebrated in Odisha, discussing its significance and celebrating it in the best possible virtual way. Before we get started, let me first clarify the pronunciation of this festival – “raw-jaw” (that’s the only way in English, to get non-Odia speakers to say it right)!

The pristine state of Odisha (in the eastern part of India) is known for the magnificent temples, rich heritage, unique culture and simplicity of its people. ‘Odias’ all over the world celebrate a lot of cultural fairs and festivals, which have deep roots in the tradition of Odisha. There are a number of festivals celebrated in this state. The very popular Odia adage which states – “ବାର ମାସରେ ତେର ପର୍ବ” (meaning : Thirteen festivals in twelve months) – clearly justifies the essence of Odisha and its festive celebrations.

This beautiful state is about to embrace its first ever low-key and indoor celebration of the four-day long festival “Raja Parba” this weekend.

What makes this festival even more special is its significance – IT CELEBRATES WOMANHOOD.

About RAJA PARBA

Raja Parba is a four-day long festival and the second day signifies beginning of the solar month of ‘Mithuna’ from which the monsoon season of rains starts.

Raja Parba is a celebration of menstruation and womanhood. It is based on the belief that Mother Earth menstruates for those three days and she is given a ceremonial bath on the fourth day. For those three days, no agricultural activity like ploughing or sowing takes place as Mother Earth is expected to be going through rejuvenation.

In a country where it is common to shun women from social life when they are menstruating, ODISHA stands out.

Though people with fast lives in today’s times don’t really get time to follow the traditional way of celebrating this festival, I will highlight the exact way in which it was earlier celebrated. I am sure that given a chance (with no scarcity of time and energy), people of Odisha will definitely go back to the good-old way of celebrating RAJA PARBA.

The day before first day is called Sajabaja or preparatory day during which the house, kitchen including grinding stones are cleaned. 

First day is called Pahili Raja, Second day is Mithuna Sankranti, Third day is Basi Raja and the final Fourth day is called Vasumati Snana.

Pahili Raja is the first day and people organise several traditional events such as swaying upon various swings named as Ram Doli, Dandi Doli and so on. The second day is celebrated as Raja, which is simply known as Mithuna Sankranti. The third day is Basi Raja, which marks the completion of menstruation period. The final fourth day Vasumati Snana marks the day in which women bathe the grinding stone as a symbol of Bhumi (read : Earth) with turmeric paste and adorn with flower, sindoor etc. People offer all types of seasonal fruits to Mother Earth during the festivities.

Just as the earth prepares itself to quench its thirst by the incoming rain, the unmarried girls of the family are groomed for impeding matrimony through this festival. They celebrate the first three days in joyous festivity and observe customs like eating only uncooked and nourishing food especially ‘Poda Pitha’. They do not even walk barefooted and vow to give birth to healthy children in future. During these three days, women and girls take rest from work and wear new clothes to celebrate womanhood.

The most vivid and enjoyable memories one has of the Raja gaiety is the rope-swings on big banyan trees and the lyrical folk-songs that one listens while enjoying the atmosphere.

Significance of RAJA PARBA

The festival, which started as a tribal practice, has now spread to all parts of Odisha. Though it has undergone a lot of changes over time, it still revolves around respecting and celebrating women.

Until the fourth day (Vasumati Snana – the day of the ceremonial bath), women and young girls do not take part in cooking and instead, play games and celebrate. Men also take part in this festival, conducted around the middle of June every year.

And the most remarkable aspect of this festival remains intact – “CELEBRATING WOMANHOOD”. In the patriarchal setup practiced in Indian society, it is rare to see such extensive and proud celebration of womanhood and respecting women in general. Most importantly, it breaks the taboo against a basic biological aspect of women – MENSTRUATION.

Hats off to this state’s unique way of encouraging a gender-equality based upbringing!

A renowned social activist Manjo Jena had once said,

“Everyone who thinks women are impure during their periods, should see how Odisha celebrates RAJA. Those who believe the menstrual blood to be impure should know that the same kept a life on for nine months inside the mother’s womb.”

This year, while the beautiful state of Odisha gets ready for its Raja festivities on June 14, I reminisce about the good old memories of this grand festival in my childhood. Raja Parba – It might not be as glamorous as the other festivals celebrated in the country, but it is definitely a festival of practical significance in today’s world. It depicts the true spirit of humanity, the spirit of womanhood. It shows how great the quality of thinking of our ancestors was, who were way above unnecessary and derogatory bias against women during menstruation.

I feel so proud to be a part of this wonderful upbringing of Odisha. We invite you all to visit us whenever the pandemic situation improves and travel gets feasible. Stay safe, stay careful.

Signing off with a positive hope that I will be able to post livelier and brighter pictures of this festival next year, celebrated with much fanfare especially on the rope swings!

Read more about Odisha Tourism here.