It’s that time of year again when Odia households are busy preparing for the ‘Raja’ festival, which honors women. This four-day festival commemorates the earth’s fertility regeneration, which is analogous to a woman’s menstrual cycle.
Raja is a shorthand for the word ‘Rajaswala,’ which means a menstrual woman, and it is celebrated throughout Odisha and among Odias who live outside the state. It represents the earth’s menstrual cycle, which is comparable to that of a woman.
The earth is said to be in a latent state, similar to how women go through their “periods.” All agricultural activities are prohibited during the earth’s resting phase. It is a celebration of womanhood organized by women for women. The fairer gender is lavished with new clothes, accessories, and delicacies, and is forbidden from performing household duties.
The first day is known as Pahili Raja; the second day, Mithuna Sankranti, commemorates the beginning of the month of Asadha; the third day is known as Basi Raja; and the fourth day, Basumati Gadhua, denotes the end of the earth’s menstruation.
When they are not doing household chores, the womenfolk pamper themselves with designer clothes, aalta on the feet, kumkum on the forehead, and, more recently, mehndi/henna on their palms and nail art for nail beautification. The traditional Doli (swing) and games linked with the festival define Raja. Mango or tamarind trees are used as swings.
As the swing swings back and forth, Raja folksongs are sung in unison.
One of the most famous Raja songs is “Banaste daakila gaja…” Ludo, cards, Baagudi, Bohu Chori, and Puchi are all popular games that can be played with friends till far after midnight.
Every house smells like poda pitha, arisa pitha, chakuli pitha, Raja paan, and other delicacies. The dishes are also shared with neighbors and family members. Vendors in metropolitan areas undertake brisk business to keep up with high demand for Raja paan, which now comes in several variants.
They are also requested to dwell in a single room, known as the Raja Ghara, where they make their bed on the floor and worship a block of clay adorned with vermilion, flowers, incense sticks, and delicacies. Men are not permitted to enter the Raja Ghara. Many Raja practices, however, are not fully followed in many sections of the state.
In many regions of India, menstruation women are shunned and barred from entering temples, but Odisha is proud to honor this important facet of womanhood. The present Raja, however, is an exception, as the Government has outlawed gatherings for celebrations owing to the Covid-19 crisis.
