Raja may be a grand festival for the people of the coastal Odisha. But different other parts of the State celebrate it with much gaiety and grandeur too.
Kandhei Bahaghara (Doll marriage) is an important event on the days of Raja in most parts of Deogarh district. In Tileibani block of the district, the villagers have been organising Kandhei Bahaghara for last many years as part of the Raja celebration. The villagers here go to a mango grove with the groom doll, while others wait for the Baraat with the bride. After both the sides get united in the mango grove, the marriage between the dolls takes place. And everyone takes the charm of a sumptuous lunch of the marriage reception. The marriage procession and so also the homecoming is in no way inferior to any grand marriage ceremony and people enjoy it to their hilt.
After the marriage, both the newly wedded couple comes to the Raja Padia (ground) again in a vast procession. The people put them on the swing and make them play on it. On the occasion, the villagers also organize massive plantation programmes to keep the surroundings clean and green. "Raja has got a link with Odisha's agriculture and green coverage. It is a festival that reminds us of a green earth as the agricultural activities starts just after the end of the festival i.e. on the very day of the Basumatisnana," said Deogarh district bar association president Bibhuti Gangdev, who was a guest on the occasion.
But in Balam, another important village of the district, the people organize Kumari Bibaha where a minor girl marries another girl of same age as bride and bride groom. They believe that Kumari Bibaha on the eve of Raja turns auspicious for the region with good rains and thereby a bumper harvesting.
However, in most other parts and Barkote block in particular, the youths go to the forest to collect Mahu (honey). They also consume the freshly collected honey in the forest itself. "Such amusement has got direct link with human health. Consuming honey before rainy season increases the immunity power and this practice of the youths is good for health," opined Sadananda Dhal, a senior advocate from Banakal village of Deogarh. The youths also play 'Du Du' similar to that of Bagudi of coastal Odisha, Dhal added. And the girls spend the days within various entertainments including that of Puchi, he said further.