Raja parba

A festival dedicated to mother earth,

being celebrated among local folks,

where she could rest and rejuvenate,

blesses people with bounties of land,

with the arrival of monsoon.

Bhudevi, consort of lord Jagannath, 

undergoes a period of menstruation, 

and these three days were celebrated,

as a sign of fertility and renewal, 

with festival of Raja parba. 

Agricultural activities were paused,

ploughing and sowing suspended, 

while women and girls took breaks,

from doing household chores,

spending time for themselves. 

A celebration of womanhood, 

starts with various preparations,

cleaning house, grinding spices,

purchasing cloths & ornaments, 

sajabaja for Pahili Raja. ( first raja)

Traditional delicacies were made,

with many pithas, savory cakes,

while women & girls engage,

apply alta and adorn ornaments,

makeups to beautify themselves. 

Next days were followed,

with dances and folk songs,

swinging from the dolis (decorated swings)

installed in houses or trees,

wearing colorful dress & jewelries. 

Raja parba...

A tradition that promotes fertility, 

as a symbol of divine energy,

treating women as the queens,

and menstruation, an important, 

embodiment of mother earth.

Happy Raja!