In India, it is common to find people celebrating one festival or another every day. The list of Indian festivals is endless. There are national festivals, there are festivals specific to a state or region; then there are festivals linked with religion and there are other festivals linked to agricultural theme. Among, all those festivals, there is a festival called “Raja”; celebrated in the state of Odisha. The uniqueness of this festival is; although it is linked to the agricultural thing but it also celebrates a key aspect of womanhood; that is menstruation.
What is the meaning of Raja?
The word is derived from the Sanskrit word “Rajaswala”; which means menstruating women. Earth is always considered as a woman; that is why in most of the mythology she is treated as a Goddess. Goddess Gaia in Greek Mythology, Goddess Tellus in Roman Mythology, Queen Houtu in Chinese Mythology, Joro in Norse Mythology and Bhudevi in Hindu Mythology. Now, the concept here is, Bhudevi undergoes the menstruation cycle for these three days. So, this festival is celebrated for three days.
Odisha is primarily an agricultural state. So, this festival is not only has mythological belief but also has an agricultural origin. It is celebrated to marks the arrival of monsoon and the beginning of the sowing season. So, we need to allow the soil for a suitable cropping season. Now, adding the concept of menstruation cycle to this; we do not plough or dig the soil during these days. Basically speaking, we rest the soil so that it can rejuvenate, become fertile and prepare for the cultivation of crops.
Significance of Raja
In most part of the country, menstruation is still a less discussed topic. However, in Odisha, since ages, we celebrate the menstruation in an open way and that too in such a positive way. We recognize it as a source of creation and a symbol of fertility. So, we respect the process by celebrating it like no one else. During these days, the girls normally wear new dresses, eat delicious food and enjoy the swings while singing some songs. It is considered as a leisure form the day to day work; like they are not supposed to do the traditional kitchen activities like cutting, peeling and all that. On the ecological perspective, no trees should be cut during these days. There should not be any construction work going on during these days.
Why Raja is So Unique and Extra-Ordinary
Even though, we have so many festivals in India; there are very few festivals that celebrates menstruation. There is a festival in Assam called Ambubachi Mela, which is the closest equivalent to Raja. It is a celebration of the menstruation course of Goddess Kamakhya. They celebrate feminine fertility while shutting down all sorts of agricultural work. The temple also remains closed during those three days. In Karnataka also, there is a festival called Keddasa, which celebrates the menstruation course of Mother Earth.
Raja is a combination of feminine divinity and agricultural process. It is a celebration of the biological process that many people normally consider as a stigma. It is recognition of women being the source of creation. Raja speaks about the wisdom of agriculture linked with natural cycles of women body. It asks you to respect the nature like a living being. So, this rare celebration makes the festival Raja unique and extra-ordinary.