Context
Odisha, the land of Lord Jagannath, has launched ‘Pitha on Wheels’ ahead of the three-day Raja festival, one of the most popular ones celebrated at the onset of monsoon, amid the lockdown induced by the coronavirus pandemic in the state.
About Raja Festival
- Raja Festival Of Odisha is a three-day event marks the period of fertility regeneration of Mother Earth, equivalent to the menstrual cycle which women undergo.
- Raja is an abbreviation used for Rajaswala (meaning a menstruating woman) and is celebrated across Odisha and Odias living outside.
- It signifies the menstrual cycle of the earth similar to that of a woman. Similar to women, the earth is considered to be in a latent stage during these days.
- This resting period of the earth is when all agricultural activities are forbidden.
- The very first day of this long festival is termed Pahili Raja which is also considered to be the last day of the month Jestha (summers).
- The second day of Raja Parba signifies the beginning of the solar month of "Mithuna", marking the arrival of rains, according to the website of Odisha Tourism.
- The concluding day is named in local dialect as Bhuin Dahana popularly known as Sesa Raja (last day).
- The festival in some parts of the regions actually ranges for a period of four days with the inclusion of the fourth day termed as Basumata Puja or Basumata Gadhua (Bathing & praying of mother earth).
