Odisha’s Raja festival celebrates womanhood and calls to fight patriarchal notions on menstruation
Odisha is often considered as India's best-kept secret. The state is quiet about its bountiful nature, its scenic sea shore, mighty archaeological wonders, thick forests and lakes, a place where nature gets its salvation. It is also a state with a rich history of social consciousness and awareness, transferred from generation to generation through cultural festivals with embedded meanings. One of the most prominent festivals is the one that helps break the social taboo over the menstrual cycles in women. Amongst countless festivals of Odisha, the most pious one that celebrates the importance of womanhood is: Raja ( pronounced : Raw-Jaw ). A festival of young women that has been setting up an example by wiping out the long taboo on menstrual cycle of women. This festival empowers women as well as teaches the men to respect them. The festival is celebrated for three consecutive days with lots of enjoyment and festivities involved. It is generally observed during the second week of June. The first day is famously called 'Pahili Raja' (first Raja). The second day is called, 'Raja Sankranti'or 'Mithun Sankranti'. On this day the advent of Ashada (monsoon) occurs. The third day is called 'Basi Raja' (last Raja).
One day prior to the festival, the houses and kitchens are cleaned and the young girls prepare themselves for three days of festive proceedings. During these three days girls are not imposed to do any household work. They visit their friends' houses, eat sweets and enjoy together. They wear new clothes, especially sarees, and adorn themselves with colourful 'bindi' and ornaments. Music is played in villages, dancing together, sharing foods items and playing board games and singing lyrical folklores of Raja. Everywhere, variety of swings are decorated with flowers for girls to play. Savoury foods are served along with paan (betel leaf with stuffings), the most significant mark of Raja festival. This tradition has evolved with a mythology that people heartily believe. It is said that, Lord Jagannath's wife, Bhudevi,also known as Vasundhara; the goddess of earth, undergoes menstrual period during the three days of Raja. To mark her sacredness and to give rest to goddess Bhudevi, no agricultural practices are performed for these three days. It is believed that, during the peaceful three days, with the arrival of monsoon, the goddess Bhudevi quenches her thirst. Women are also advised not to walk with naked feet, not to cut or tear anything. Even though we live in the 21st century, menstruation is a topic still talked about in hushed tones and details shared in darkness. It will not be wrong to say that this topic has not gained the freedom to be accepted by the world. Some communities consider this phase as unholy and have made unscientific justifications to back their arguments. The renowned poet and activist, Judy Grahn said: "Menstrual blood is the only source of blood that is not traumatically induced. Yet in modern society, this is the most hidden blood, the one so rarely spoken of and almost never seen, except privately by women." Educated people also sometimes shy awayfrom talking about it. Everyone must understand that it is an integral process of the female anatomy and it is absolutely healthy for women after certain age to undergo menstruation. There's nothing unholy about it. It is time for the country to adopt the call of the Raja festival of Odisha, which is sends the message to break the meaningless social taboo and thus contribute to a changing world.
The author is pursing graduation in BJB College, Bhubaneswar. The views expressed are personal.