India and shunning menstruating women from social life is very common but there lies Indian state Odisha that celebrates it. Odias honors menstruation as very natural process with joy and pride during three day long festival called Raja Parba. The word ‘raja’ is pronounced as ‘raw-jaw’ locally and comes from ‘Rajaswala’ meaning menstruating women.
There is mythical belief behind this festival that is Mother Earth (Bhu-devi) wife of Lord Jagannath menstruates for these three days and on the fourth day a ceremonial bath is given to her. Each day of the festival has unique name and carries own significance- first day is called Pahili Rajo; the second day Mithuna Sankranti signifies end of solar month of Mithuna and start of Rainy Season;third day is called Bhu Daaha or Basi Raja ( marks completion of menstruation period) and the final day is known as Vasumati Snana, on this day women take bath adorned with flower,sindoor,flower etc. No agricultural activity took place on those days.
This festival was started as a tribal practice but now whole Odisha celebrates it. Most remarkable aspect of this festival remains – “CELEBRATING WOMANHOOD”. Such extensive and proud celebration of womanhood and respecting woman in general is very rare in patriarchal Indian society. This festival aims at breaking the taboos all around regarding a basic biological aspect of women- MENSTRUATION. People who thinks women become impure during menstruation should see how Odisha celebrates it. Salute to Odia people for this unique way of encouraging a gender equality-based upbringing.
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