Menstruation in India is still a hush-hush topic. Wonder why?
The question that haunts every woman. Why a biological process which is the foundation of creation has to be considered impure?
In this fast-paced world, menstruating women is still considered to be impure. Last year, we witnessed the fracas that was created for giving permission for the entry of women menstruating age to enter the Sabarimala temple.
When the entire country shuns this biological phenomenon, Odisha stands out and celebrates it with full glory. Originally, it was a tribal celebration but over the decades it has spread to the nook and corner of Odisha.
Every year around mid-June the entire state celebrates it with pomp and show. This year the festival came to an end on 17th June, with the ceremonial bath of Mother Earth.
The mythological belief behind the festival
The mythological story or belief behind this festival is that Mother Earth or the divine wife of Lord Vishnu undergoes menstruation during the first three days.
As per the belief since Goddess Earth is menstruating, all agricultural activities are barred during these days. No plowing, sowing, or any other agricultural-related work is carried out. Rajo is pronounced as Raw-Jaw or Rajawswala, meaning menstruating women.
Name and significance of each day
This is a festival of three long days, each day having a different name and significance.
The first day is called Pahili rajo, the second is known as Mithuna Sankranti and the third day is celebrated as Bhu daha or Basi Rajo. Forth day ends with the ceremonial bath of Mother Earth coining this day as “Vasumati Snana”.
Second-day signifies Mithuna, the solar month, marking the onset of monsoon with it’s first shower.
Rituals and customs of the festival
Menstruation is the metaphor for fertility.
Women of the house are equally symbolized as the creator, nurturers, and caregivers as in Mother Earth. As a mark of respect for womanhood and fertility, women are barred from carrying out any household activities.
It’s a phase of rejuvenation for Mother Earth and so for the women of the society.
Unmarried girls and women adore themselves with new clothes, wear alata ( red liquid worn at the feet of ladies to mark the occasion as auspicious), eat homemade delicacies, and swing and sing throughout the day. Swings are usually decorated with flowers. Women also while away their time by playing cards and chewing paan (tambul) . Competitions are held to showcase various ways of folding paan by ladies.
Women wearing alata for Raja parbo
Amongst the repertoire of Odia pancakes, Poda Pitha or Smoked Pitha stands out in these three long days festivals.
The onset of this festival begins with Poda Pitha. An ancient traditional dish that is made during this period of the year or festival.
Basically, chilling out in a traditional fashion with age-old delicacies passed on from generations.
Men contribute by decorating swings, gifting new clothes, and bringing favorite eateries for the ladies of the house. They pamper the ladies of the house in the best possible way, showing their respect to womanhood.
Interesting take on menstruation. Hail Orissa!
They are many astounding aspects of this State which is not known to many. Being an Odia have planned to highlight them through my blog.
Interesting aspects
This is something I had never heard of anywhere, since it comes from a state which is not been in d scenes too much, but such lovely, great open minded people survive there and celebrate such fantastic festivals, which is considered filthy in other parts of India
Given the taboo around periods, celebrating them as a festival is a great way to break the barrier. ?
Wow I didn’t even know about this aspect. Interesting post which also made me to think if mensuration is celebrated back than so why still its not talked much
Wow. Commendable job Odisha! Did not know about it. Never heard of it. Thanks for writing about it.
Culturally Odisha is less known but it has rich culture and heritage to offer to the world. In Odisha all big festivals are woman-oriented. That’s the reason Kalinga was far ahead of its time in pages of History. Thanks for reading and sharing it.
Hope you write more about Odisha. I’ve known about this festival only recently and it sounds great and so worth celebrating! Most of my Odiya friends living away from the state don’t celebrate all their festivals and are often surprised when I read about something and ask them about the rituals/food.
#ReadByPRB
This festival is very popular in Odisha and especially in family that has a girl child. Odisha’s all important festival revolve around woman.May be that’s the reason Kalinga was a advanced state in ancient India.
I loved reading these. Honestly, the whole of India should slowly pick up this festival and welcome the idea associated with it open-handedly.
Thanks for the read.
It’s so sad to see that there are so many myths and taboos surrounding Menstruation in our country. So good to note that in Orissa, it is celebrated. I wasnt aware of Raja Parbo festival. Thanks for sharing about it.
Odisha celebrates most of its festival for women. This is one state that is still free from clutches of dowry.
In our country where menstruation still is a taboo subject this is truly a delight to know about. Celebrating womanhood through these customs is a wonderful gesture indeed.
I had no idea that such a beautiful festival is celebrated in our country to celebrate menstruation and womanhood. Glad you wrote about it in your post, it should reach more and more people.
Such a interesting post indeed. Was unaware such a festival even existed in Orrisa. Amazed and intrigued. This happens only in Indai.
I never knew about this festival and it’s really great way to celebrate. Womanhood ,it’s very less time when woman get time to celebrate in such beautiful way
Oh Wow! That’s great. Odhisa has a different approach to menstruation. Kudos to their efforts. Didn’t know about this fact. Thanks for sharing.
The feminist side of Rajo celebration is blur to many people. I like how you explained the nit-bits of the much celebrated function celebrating womanhood.
This is a new information to me. It is really good to see that a state actually considers this very natural biological state of women as something positive, instead of a taboo.
Whoa, I had never heard of this festival. This is such a great way of celebrating womanhood. I will make sure when my daughter’s hit puberty, i’ll celebrate it alongwith her and everyone we know.
I wasn’t aware of this fact that it is celebrated in such places. Thanks for making us aware about it.
Really informative and educative article i have bookmarked this blog for future post
Thanks publisher for this informative and educative article. Really nice post i have bookmarked this blog for future post
Thanks, Sachin for the appreciation. I am coming up with an array of less known dishes that are made on this festival ” Raja” this year around mid June. Stay Tuned! You can subscribe my blog to get regular updates. Right now I am writing on #environmental issues.
Nice to know about this unique celebration about womanhood in Odisha
This is wonderful to know. This festival is an eye opener for all of us. Also, we women feel so proud of being celebrated this way. I have my odia friend Sweta who shared this fact with me last year. And I was so surprised to know that. You have written the post so beautifully, with a well crafted format and a lot of information. Loved it.
Thanks, Swarnali. Glad that you liked it. There is a long list of delicacies especially of pancakes or Pithas that is being made on Raja. Its all about food,fun and masti. I thought this year i would come up with a post about the Poda pitha or smoked pancake but our temporary setup here played foul.
Ohh yes, I do want to know about the Poda Pitha and Dalma from you. Please let us know more about them. Waiting. ?
oh !! sure . will do a blog post on this.
The cultural significance behind this celebration of menstruation, womanhood, and fertility in Odisha is truly enlightening and fascinating. It’s wonderful to see how traditions like these embrace and honor the natural cycles of life, which is still a taboo in many parts of our country. Thanks for shedding light on this beautiful festival and its deeper meaning.
Odisha’s all main festivals are women centric and it was earlier known as Odra Desha. I am glad you liked the post.
This is so interesting. Glad to know that that such lovely, great open minded people survive there and celebrate such fantastic festivals, which is considered filthy in other parts of India