Raja festive mood eclipsed in Odisha due to Corona fear

Bhubaneswar: Come June and Raja fever grips the whole of Odisha. Women long for this festival. However, since this year many restrictions have been imposed in the wake of Coronavirus pandemic, people in the state have gotten disheartened.



Relation with social life


Pahili Raja



During the Raja celebration women wear new apparel, apply aalta on the feet, kumkum on the forehead, mehendi/henna on their palms and nail art for adornment of their nails.


Raja is characterized by the traditional swings. People put up different swings such as ‘Ram Doli’, ‘Charki Doli’, ‘Pata Doli’, ‘Dandi Doli’ and etc.

Apart from swings, other different country games like “puchi khela” (a traditional game in which girls squat and twist themselves moving their entire body especially their hands, thighs and feet in a rhythmic manner), “kaudi khela” (a game of cowrie shells), ludo, passapali and etc. are played during the festive season.

Festive foods

Different traditional delicious cakes such as poda pitha, arisa pitha and chakuli pitha are being prepared and distributed among neighbours and relatives.

Raja is also the time when people relish the mouth-watering paan – popularly known as Raja paan.

You might also like
Leave A Reply

Your email address will not be published.
