Odisha Celebrates Womanhood, Hosts 'Raja' Festival To Break Taboos Around Menstruation

Anjali Bisaria
Anjali Bisaria
Updated on Jun 16, 2016, 13:56 IST-3.6 K Shares
Odisha Is Celebrating The 'Raja' Festival To Break Taboos Surrounding Menstruation

While many may continue to consider it taboo, or 'impure' even, Odisha is heralding a new age by celebrating menstruation. The four-day Raja festival kick-started in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday to celebrate womanhood. 

The Raja festival (pronounced as Ro-jo) holds close the belief that our Earth is a woman, and during this time, it is our Mother that menstruates. And during this time, Mother Earth is given ample rest and hence, there is no ploughing.

Raja

HT

It is believed that the biological cycle of menstruation lasts for three days and on the fourth day, a ceremonial bath - known as Vasumati Snan - is conducted in honour of goddess Bhudevi

The first three days of the festival are thus named: Pahili Raja, Mithuna Sankranti and Bhu Daaha.

Raja

HT

The four-day festival sees widespread celebrations where girls give up cooking and take to the swings to have a good time. Hanging from the tree branches is the commonest, most fun activity during this time.

This news comes months after the Sabarimala temple hailed its age-long tradition to brand menstruating women as "impure". Social activist Manoj Jena told The Hindustan Times, "Everyone who thinks women are impure during their periods should see how Odisha celebrated Raja. Those who believe the menstrual blood to be impure should know that the same kept a life on for nine months inside the mother’s womb."

Raja

Odisha Sun Times

During the festival, there's jubilation in the air. Girls and women of all ages participate in the merriment - playing dress up, gorging on sweets, and having a gala time on the swings. They take rest from work, wear new clothes, and play games.

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