What is the history of Raja Sankranti?
Why Does Odisha Celebrate The Raja Festival: Every year, Raja Parba is celebrated in Odisha from the day of Mithun Sankranti. There is a religious belief that the day the Sun leaves Taurus and enters Gemini, the rainy season arrives from that day. On this occasion, Raja Parba is celebrated with great pomp in Odisha. Raja Parba is from June 15 to June 18.
Why Raja Parva celebrated?
On this day, people welcome the first rain of the year by celebrating it. During these four days, Mother Earth is worshipped for good rain and agriculture. Women, elders, and children all participate in this festival with great enthusiasm.
Names of the four days of Raja Parva
- The first day is called the first king.
- The second day is called Mithuna Sankranti
- The third day is called Daha.
- While the fourth day is called Vasumati Snan.
Religious significance Of Rajo festival
Raja Sankranti festival has special significance. On the occasion of this festival, the land is not dug for three days. Swings are installed in the gardens around the house. Also, the house is cleaned and purified with Gangajal. During the Raja festival, women take a bath and meditate, and worship Mother Earth by considering the grinding stone as land. The virtue of this fast increases the happiness and good fortune of married women.
What is the mythological belief?
According to Sanatan scriptures, in ancient times, Raja Parv was called agricultural holiday. In this, Mother Earth, the wife of Lord Vishnu, the Lord of the world, menstruates for three days. Mother Earth is worshipped during these three days. Bhumi Devi is present in the form of idol along with Lord Vishnu in many places including Nayagarh and Puri in Odisha. In simple words, Lord Vishnu and Mother Earth are worshipped. The idol of Mother Earth is present along with Lord Krishna in the Jagannath temple of Puri.
How to celebrate the Raja festival?
The house is cleaned for this festival. Swings are put up in the gardens. Women observe a fast for the first three days. No pruning or digging of the land is done during these days. Musical programmes are organised on this occasion. On the first day of Raja Parva, women apply turmeric and bathe. However, they do not bathe for the next two days. On the fourth day, they apply turmeric again and bathe.
After this, the grinding stone is given a bath. In this festival, the grinding stone is considered Mother Earth. After this, Mother Earth is worshipped ritually. On this day, donations are given to the needy and the poor. Celebrating this festival brings happiness and peace to the lives of married women. While unmarried girls get their desired groom.
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