Raja Parba, also known as Mithuna Sankranti, is a three-day-long festival of womanhood celebrated in Odisha, India. The term ‘Raja’ came from the Sanskrit word rajas, which means menstruation, and a menstruating woman is called rajasvala. The first day is called ‘Saja Baja’, second day is called ‘Pahili Raja’, third is ‘Raja Sankranti’ and fourth is ‘Basi Raja or Bhumi Dahana’; and fifth is Basumati Snana. The second day of the festival signifies beginning of the solar month of Mithuna, from which the season of rains starts. It falls in mid June. According to popular belief as women menstruate, which is a sign of fertility, so also Mother Earth menstruates. So, all three days of the festival are considered to be the menstruating period of Mother Earth. During the festival, all agricultural operations remain suspended. As a mark of respect towards the Earth during her menstruation days, all agricultural works comes to a standstill during these days. Significantly, it is a festival of the unmarried girls, the potential mothers. In another belief that the Hindu Earth Goddess, Bhumi, one of the consorts of the deity Vishnu, experiences menstruation during the first three days of the festival. In the medieval period, the festival became more popular as an agricultural holiday marking the worship of Bhumi, who is venerated as the consort of Jagannath, a regional form of Vishnu. A silver murti of Bhumi is present in the Puri Temple beside Jagannatha.
For the first time, this year hectic preparations are underway to celebrate first ever Raja Parba Utsav – 2025 in Noida. Considered as the largest Festival of Odisha, Raja , symbolizes the celebration of essence, excellence and exuberance of Odisha. The Parba use to be observed as a obeisance to womanhood, at a time when mother earth gets fertile for cultivation during monsoon session. To mark the grand occasion, Samudayik Vikas Samiti (SVS) is scheduled to host a Two days long mammoth ceremony on 14th and 15th June at Ramleela Ground of Noida Stadium. A massive crowd of non – resident Odias numbering around twenty thousand are expected to gather during both the days of the Festival. Several distinguished dignitaries like Ministers, religious Gurus, Corporate Titans, prominent political and social leaders are likely to grace the Utsav as Guests.
Conceptualized by the Founder Chairman of Organising body Samudayik Vikas Samiti and leading Chartered Accountant cum Social leader Dr Manoranjan Mohanty, the Mega Fair will witness the display of Odisha’s rich art, vibrant culture, lofty tradition, glorious history, amazing heritage, magnificent music, mesmerizing dance, awesome attire and mouth watering cuisine.
The Two days long cultural Jamboori will showcase presentations of scintillating dance, soul soothing music and hilarious comedy by renowned artistes from Odisha and NCR. Dance Forms like Odissi, Manipuri, Sambalpuri, Gotipua, Jhumar, Tribal and modern will be major attractions for the young attendees. The star artistes of Ollywood who are expected to enthrall the audiences by exhibiting their creative genius during the supersonic show include Comedy King Papu Pom Pom, Noted Singers Anindita Das, Devesh Pati, Papu Panda, Jyoti and eminent Actor & Director Ashrumochan Mohanty.
The highlight of the Parba will be Odia Food Festival, offering 30 authentic dishes comprising of Cuttack’s famous Dahi Bara- Aloo Dum, Baripada’s Mudhi – Mutton, Salepur Rasgulla, Machha – Bhaat, Tanka Torani, Korapaut Namkeen, traditional Pithas like Arisa, Kakara, Manda, Chhena Poda, Poda Pitha and Special Pan from Jajpur. Each dish carries the exclusive flavour of Odisha’s soil and delicate legacy of Odia ladies.
To their delight in sideline of the Festival, visitors will find variety of stalls exhibiting traditional Odia handlooms, handicrafts, ethnic wear and photography in the venue. Other attractions will be women empowerment activities, kids games, mehendi and drawing competitions and folk art workshops.
Speaking to the Media, the Chief Organiser of the Festival Dr Manoranjan Mohanty observed that Raja Parba is not just a festival, it is a tribute to our motherland, mother tongue and motherhood. He appealed to 1.6 million members of Odia community in NCR and Odisha lovers to come in large numbers and be part of this cultural renaissance and experience the true Fragrance of Odisha. The Event is free and open to the general public without prior registration, Dr Mohanty added.
About SVS
Samudayik Vikas Samiti is a Civil Society Organization of New Delhi, having beneficiaries all over India, with its efforts on the sphere of social development to provide the equitable sharing of resources, social justice, and sustainable livelihood promotion for the deprived sections of the society. Though we have been working sincerely for the last 16 years for the benefit of deprived community particularly in empowerment of communities through Promotion of information technology among the villagers, SHGs and micro insurances, rural development, child caring, Health promotions, non-formal education, women empowerment and various awareness camps related to health, environment, women welfare, but still we strive for serving more and more number of beneficiaries.
Samudayik Vikas Samiti is a registered society under societies registration act XXI, 1860,registered on dated 16th march 1999 to promote, facilitate, conduct and co-ordinate social actions/programs for the emancipation and uplift of the weaker sections particularly those socially challenge and discriminated against on the grounds of gender, caste and creed nearly twelve long years in Delhi made it a proud harbinger of hope and confidence for hundreds of men and women whose hope of life has been completely shattered. Samudayik Vikas Samiti has been working with the poor and the marginalized in the slums and resettlement colonies of Delhi to touch and transform the lives of thousands of people who live in vulnerabilities. Community Mobilization and Participatory Development are the twin pillars of our social work activities. We are committed to participatory community owned self sustainable models of development. For more info, please visit https://svsamiti.com/
