All about Raja Parba, Odisha’s festival celebrating fertility and womanhood

Raja Parba, a 3-day festival celebrating menstruation and womanhood, is being celebrated in the state of Odisha from June 14-17 this year. This festival marks the period of fertility and regeneration of the earth, which is considered equivalent to the menstrual cycle that women undergo.

“It is believed that during this period Mother Earth menstruates & prepares herself for future agri activities with the arrival of monsoon,” Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC), chairperson S Mishra, said, ANI reported. 

During this resting period of the earth, all agricultural activities are forbidden. Same way, during the 3-day event, women are prohibited from doing household chores. Apart from this, women are also given new clothes, accessories, and are fed delicacies.

Women, who do not have to run around to complete their household work, pamper themselves by dressing up.

This year, however, the celebrations are going to be low-key due to the COVID-induced restrictions in the state. 

“Every year during Raja festival, OTDC (Odisha Tourism Development Corporation) makes special arrangements with all varieties of pithas (delicacies) and swings. However, this year it will be a bit different. OTDC has made all the arrangements for the people to celebrate Raja amid CoOVID-19 guidelines,” the corporation’s chairperson Shreemayee Mishra told local media.