Odisha celebrated Raja a unique festival which happens in the month of June.
Presenting my last two years of my small write up once again .Narrated in English.
* For my non odia Friends !! *
🙏Myself , Mamata Mishra , Founder director of Kalinga Kala kendra( instt. Of classsical music, Dance and art )Pune , promoting Odisha culture for many years . Also a founder of Pune Odia Womens association (POWA) . Being an Odia by birth but brought up in the complete Bengali environment from last 45 years . Bengalis are rich in culture and loves to celebrate all cultures of their state . Being in both the communities , I could enjoy the richness of both the cultures.
As you all know, Odisha is a state rich in culture and heritage from history like Puri Jagannath Mandir, Konark Sun temple, Dhauligiri, Khandagiri, Pattachitra, Pipli work, Cuttack filigri, world famous Odissi dance, Sambalpuri textiles, Sambalpuri folk dance also well known sweets like Chenapoda, Khaja , pahala rasagolla and Salepur rasagolla , Poda Pitha and many more to the list.
Bengalis prefer to spend most of their summer vacation in Puri sea beach and its adjoining places. Odisha celebrates some of the exclusive festivals like Rath Yatra, Pana Sankranti (Odia new year), Kumar Purnima, Bali Jatra and Raja Mahotsav in large scale apart from Durga Puja, Ganesh Puja, Saraswati Puja, KaliPuja and Deepavali.
Odisha celebrates Utkal Divas its independent statehood since 1936.
Raja Mahotsava is a four day festival celebrated all over Odisha.
It is the celebration of fertility or mensturation cycle of mother earth .
•1st day is the preparatory day known as “Pahili Raja” where the entire house is cleaned, Grinding stones are cleaned after grinding the spices that must last the entire duration of 4 days..
• 2nd day is called Mithuna Sankranti and
• 3rd day is called “Basi Raja” or Shesha Raja ( last Raja)
•The 4th day is called Basumati Snan in which Goddess Lakshmi is given bath by the grinding of the stones as a symbol of Bhumi Puja with turmeric paste, Flowers, Sindoor etc.
On this day, all types of seasonal foods are offered to Mother Earth.
During these three days, women and girls take rest from work and wear new cloth, ornaments etc. and enjoy by swinging in Raja Doli (Jhula). Chewing sweet paan is also another attraction during this festival. It is also celebrated as the earth prepares itself to quench its thirst by the incoming rain.It is similar to Ambubachi Mela .They pass these three days in joyous activities and observe customs like eating uncooked and nourishing food especially Poda Pitha ( one type of cake made with dal , rice , coconut with some other ingredients . The agricultural land is devoid of ploughing in respect to take care of Mother Earth. It is mostly observed in Cuttack, Puri and Balasore.

Best Regards,

Mrs. Mamata Mishra
Founder Director
Kalinga kala kendra
Founder
Pune Odia Women Association ( POWA )

свернуть