Growing up in the coastal village of Bishnubindha in Bhadrak district, Odisha, I have cherished memories of the vibrant Raja Parba. This unique festival, deeply rooted in Odisha’s culture, is more than just a celebration; it’s a grand tribute to womanhood and the fertility of the earth. Held during the lush onset of monsoon around mid-June, Raja Parba coincides with Mithuna Sankranti, marking the menstruation phase of Mother Earth as she prepares for the agricultural bounty to follow.
As a child, I witnessed how all agricultural activities halted during these three days, a gesture of respect towards the earth’s rejuvenation. This break was a time of renewal and celebration, especially for women and young girls who became the festival’s joyful focus. Freed from household chores, they engaged in leisure, playing games, and swinging on beautifully adorned swings, embodying freedom and joy akin to Mother Earth’s nurturing spirit.
One of my fondest festival memories involves the elaborate swings— ‘Baunsa Doli’ ( Bamboo Swing), Doli —each offering unique joys and laughter. The air was filled with the rhythmic beats of traditional instruments like the dhol and mridanga in evening, enhancing the festive atmosphere.
In my maternal uncle’s village of Bhairabpur in the Basudebpur block, Bhadrak and in my aunt’s village of Ertal, Bhadrak the celebration also included the crafting and worshipping of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra’s idol, a tradition that added a divine touch to the festivities. But in my village they make the idol of Radha- Krishna . I remember the meticulous joy of idol making, a cherished ritual that began days before the festival.
The culinary delights prepared during Raja were a treat to the senses. The iconic Poda Pitha, a slow-cooked cake made from rice, jaggery, and coconut, is one of my favorites, its flavors of cardamom and black pepper mingling deliciously. Other sweets like Arisa Pitha, Chakuli Pitha, and Manda Pitha were equally awaited, each bite a tribute to the prosperity and fertility celebrated by the festival.
Raja wasn’t just about food and fun; it was a time when the entire community came together, transcending the ordinary constraints of daily life. We visited every house in the village, welcomed warmly with red colour ranga alata on our feet, a symbol of good fortune and respect. The homes burst with hospitality, offering an array of traditional foods and sweets, making each visit a delightful experience.
During Raja Parba, a tradition I always found deeply symbolic was the Bhumi Puja (worshipping of land). This ritual underscores the festival’s essence, celebrating the fertility of the earth and its capacity for regeneration and renewal. The act of worshipping land is not only a hopeful prayer for abundance but also a respectful acknowledgment of the earth’s various states—fertile, fallow, and everything in between.
In my village, this ceremony involved the entire community gathering around a patch of land. Elders of the village, along with the young, would perform a puja, offering prayers and local offerings symbolizing a wish for the land to become fertile once again. This ritual mirrored the larger theme of Raja Parba—honoring the earth during its menstrual phase when it rests and rejuvenates, just as the land does.
The tradition taught us the importance of respecting and taking care of our natural resources, recognizing that the health of the earth directly impacts our well-being and sustenance. It brought the community together in a shared reverence for nature, fostering a collective responsibility towards environmental conservation and sustainable living practices.
Such rituals during Raja not only enhanced our appreciation for Odisha’s rich culture but also instilled a deep-seated respect for the natural world, its cycles, and its vulnerabilities. This tradition of worshipping land, thus, stands as a vital reminder of our dependency on nature and the need to nurture it, ensuring that the celebrations of fertility and renewal are meaningful and inclusive of all aspects of the earth.
During the Raja Festival, a variety of traditional foods and desserts are prepared and enjoyed, which play a significant role in the celebrations. Some of the most popular dishes include:
– Poda Pitha: This slow-cooked cake made from rice, jaggery, and coconut is the most iconic treat associated with Raja. It is dense, sweet, and it gives a distinctive flavor.
– Arisa Pitha: A sweet dish made from rice flour and jaggery, deep-fried to a crispy texture.
– Chakuli Pitha: A type of soft pancake made from fermented rice and black gram dough.
– Manda Pitha: Steamed dumplings filled with coconut, jaggery, or sweetened cheese.
– Kakra Pitha, Sara Puli, and Chhena Puli are other delightful sweets that make the festival even more special.
These foods are not only delicious but also symbolize prosperity and fertility, resonating with the theme of the festival.
Regarding entertainment, a variety of traditional games and music are central to the celebrations:
– Swinging on Rope Swings: Swings are a hallmark of Raja Parba, where girls and young women swing on beautifully decorated swings hung from trees. This activity is accompanied by the singing of traditional songs.
– Playing Cards and Indoor Games: Leisure games are a common feature, with card playing mentioned as a popular pastime during the festival.
– Folk Songs and Dances: The festival is enlivened with the performance of folk songs and dances that celebrate love, joy, and social harmony. These songs and dances are integral to preserving the cultural heritage of Odisha.
The festival vibrates with the energy of folk music, traditional dances, and a gamut of activities that underline the community’s cultural identity.
1. Traditional Instruments: Alongside the singing and dancing, men play traditional musical instruments such as the ‘dhol’ and ‘mridanga’, adding a rhythmic backdrop to the festivities.
2. Competitive Sports: Young men participate in various traditional sports, with ‘Kabadi’ being a favorite. This not only provides entertainment but also strengthens community ties.
3. Cultural Performances: At night, cultural performances such as ‘Jatra’ (a traditional theatre form) and ‘Gotipua’ dances are common in prosperous villages. These performances are either arranged by enthusiastic amateurs or by professional groups, creating a vibrant cultural atmosphere.
4. Environmentally Friendly Celebrations: Modern celebrations of Raja have seen a shift towards sustainability. Efforts are being made to use natural dyes and materials in clothing and decorations to minimize the environmental impact, promoting an eco-friendly way of celebrating.
5. Swings Varieties: There are several types of swings used during Raja, such as ‘Ram Doli’, ‘Charki Doli’, ‘Pata Doli’, and ‘Dandi Doli’, each offering a unique experience and joy to the participants.
These elements highlight the richness of the Raja Festival, showing its deep roots in tradition while also adapting to modern values like environmental consciousness.
The festival also emphasized social harmony and gender equality, challenging the taboos associated with menstruation by celebrating it openly through this community event. It was a profound lesson in acceptance and reverence for the natural biological processes, conveyed through joyous celebration.
Reflecting on Raja Parba now, I realize how it fortified community bonds and fostered a deep appreciation for nature’s cycles and womanhood within our Odia culture. These memories are not just recollections of joyous days but a continuous inspiration that enriches my understanding and respect for my heritage, keeping me connected to my roots no matter where I go.
