Bhubaneswar: President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik greeted the people of Odisha on the occasion of Raja festival.
Raja Parba, also known as Mithuna Sankranti, is a three-day-long festival of womanhood celebrated in Odisha by girls and women in both urban and rural areas.
The second day of the festival signifies the beginning of the solar month of Mithuna, from which the season of rain starts.
The Festival is observed to celebrate womanhood and people worship Bhudevi (Goddess Earth) as it is believed that Bhudevi menstruates and prepares herself for future agricultural activities.
Taking to the tweeter President Murmu said, “Heartiest greetings to the people of my state on the occasion of the agricultural festival ‘Raja’.
She said the three days festival of Raja is celebrated with much fun by the people, mostly women and girls.
The President further said, “May this auspicious period bring with it an abundance of good health, prosperity and happiness.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday also greeted the people of Odisha on the occasion of ‘Raja’ Parba and prayed for the good health, prosperity and happiness of all.
In a tweet, PM Modi said, “Greetings on the ongoing Raja Parba festivities being held across Odisha. May this auspicious period bring with it an abundance of good health and prosperity. May there be happiness all around.”
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also wished the people of Odisha on the occasion. Patnaik tweeted “My heartiest wishes to all on the occasion of Odisha Ganaparba Raja. Join this great festival with joy, enthusiasm and joy, a symbol of respect for nature and women”, Patnaik said.
The three-day Raja festival is celebrated with pomp and gaiety in which the women and girls clad in new dresses and sarees enjoy the festival.
On all three days of the festival, people eat and distribute different kinds of cakes, particularly ‘Poda Pitha’ (rice-baked cake).
Swings are installed in houses and also in villages during the festival.
The word ‘Raja’ is derived from a Sanskrit word ‘Rajas’ which means menstruation. As menstruation is considered to be a sign of fertility, the festival celebrates femininity.
UNI