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Time and again, we have come across various infuriating practices and beliefs from all around the country regarding the menstrual taboo. However, there are certain cultural practices in
India which believe in the opposite, case in point being this 4-day Odisha festival called _Raja Parba_ which is celebrated in June every year. WHAT’S SPECIAL ABOUT _RAJA PARBA_ IS THAT
THIS PARTICULAR FESTIVAL CORRELATES THE FERTILITY OF HARVEST TO THAT OF A WOMAN. IN SIMPLE WORDS, IT CELEBRATES A GIRL’S ONSET OF WOMANHOOD, I.E. MENSTRUATION. Pronounced as _raw-jaw_, _Raja
_comes from the word _Rajaswala_, which means menstruating women. It is believed that during the first three days _Bhudevi_ (Mother Earth), the wife of Lord Jagannath undergoes menstruation
and is given a ceremonial bath the fourth day. EACH DAY OF THE FESTIVAL HAS ITS OWN NAME AND SIGNIFICANCE – THE FIRST DAY IS CALLED _PAHILI RAJO_, SECOND DAY IS _MITHUNA SANKRANTI,_
SIGNIFYING THE BEGINNING OF SOLAR MONTH OF _MITHUNA_ I.E., THE RAINY SEASON, THE THIRD DAY IS _BHU DAAHA_ OR _BASI RAJA_ AND THE FOURTH DAY IS CALLED _VASUMATI SNANA_. From plucking flowers
to ploughing and irrigation, all agricultural work is suspended during the first three days of the festival. IT IS BELIEVED THAT THE LAND GOES THROUGH REGENERATION DURING THIS PERIOD, AN ACT
LIKENED TO THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE OF AN UNMARRIED GIRL OR WOMAN, WHICH SHOULD NOT BE ‘DISTURBED’. Women and unmarried girls are encouraged to look their best, wear new clothes and decorate
themselves with _alatha_. They are given a break from all the household work and are seen spending time on swings, playing indoor and outdoor games and eating scrumptious food. As per
tradition, on the first day of the festival girls rise before dawn, do their hair, anoint their bodies with turmeric paste and oil and take a bath in a river or tank. Bathing for the next
two days is however prohibited. The fourth and the last day marks the ceremonial bath of _Bhudevi_ or _Vasumati Gadhua _which indicates the end of ‘menstruation period’ of mother Earth.
THIS COUNTRY NEVER CEASES TO AMAZE US. INCREDIBLE!