Raja Parba festival celebrating womanhood: PM Narendra Modi greets people

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday greeted people on the occasion of 'Raja Parba', a festival celebrated in Odisha.

"Best wishes on the auspicious occasion of Raja Parba. I pray for the good health and well-being of everyone," the prime minister tweeted.

The festival is natively pronounced as ‘raw-jaw’, while ‘Raja’ is derived from the world ‘Rajaswala’ which means menstruating women. According to the religious belief, it is said that during the first three days, ‘Bhudevi’ (Mother Earth), the wife of Lord Jagannath undergoes menstruation cycle and on the fourth day, she is given a ceremonial bath.

Each day of the festival has its own name and significance — the first day is called Pahili Rajo, the second day is Mithuna Sankranti, which signifies the beginning of the solar month of Mithuna i.e., the rainy season; the third day is Bhu Daaha or Basi Raja and the fourth day is called Vasumati Snana.

While celebrating Raja Parba festival, people of Odisha suspends all agricultural works such as ploughing, sowing for three days as a mark of respect towards the earth during her menstruation days.