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• Celebrations surrounding the Raja Parba festivals are going on in Odisha.
• It is a 3 day festival, an auspicious period, which ends with a traditional bathing ceremony.
• PM Narendra Modi, congratulated people of Odisha and wished for good health, happiness and prosperity.

Raja Parba Festival of Odisha

Details

• Raja Parba is a 3-day festival, a celebration of honouring women hood, during the month of Asadha.
• Every woman is considered as an equivalent to mother earth and given special place and care in this festival.
• They are not allowed to walk barefoot and supposed to take rest and play.

Name

• It derives its name from
  • Raja – Rajaswala, a term used for menstruating women and
  • Parb – meaning festival

Objectives

• It is celebrated to prepare for future productive agricultural activities as, according to the traditional beliefs, Mother Earth (Bhudevi) menstruates during this time.
• This festival marks the arrival of monsoon season or solar month of Mithuna.
• It also celebrates the Womenhood.

Celebrations

• Worship of Budevi, wife of Lord Jagannath.
• Varieties of cakes, known as pithas, are prepared. Various varieties are
  • Poda Pitha
  • Manda
  • Chakuli
  • Kakara
• Saja Baja - Many young girls apply  turmeric paste and then take bath.
• It also includes wearing of Saree or new clothes on first day of festival called Pahili
• Various games like swing, ludo, cards are played to feel the joy during this festival.
• Second and third day of this festival known as Mithun Sankranti and Basi Raja respectively.
• It ends with the bathing ceremony named Basumati Snan or Basumati gadhua.

Must read Article:

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/raja-parba-festival

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1932555

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