Raja Parba (Odia: ରଜ ପର୍ବ) is a festival that celebrates the onset of monsoon and the fertility of the land and women in Odisha, a state in eastern India. Raja Sankranti (Odia: ରଜ ସଂକ୍ରାନ୍ତି), the mid-day of Raja Parba and is also known as Mithuna Sankranti. The festival honors Mother Earth or Bhudevi, who is considered to be the divine wife of Lord Vishnu and the source of all life.
The Origin and Significance of Raja Sankranti
The word Raja comes from the Sanskrit word Rajas, which means menstruation. It is believed that during these three days, Mother Earth undergoes menstruation for the first time in the year and prepares herself for the incoming rain. The festival celebrates the uniqueness of womanhood and the power of giving birth to new life. Women and girls take a break from household work and enjoy themselves by dressing up, playing games, singing songs, and swinging on ropes. Podapitha, a type of cake made from rice flour, jaggery, coconut, and spices is the main food of this festival.
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