Orissa Review * June - 2006

Raja Sankranti : The Festival of Swings

Pravukalyan Mohapatra

Festivals of any state reflect the culture, supposed to control agricultural operations. tradition and history of the people. Festivals The tradition of such festivals have also come in India are mostly associated with seasonal down to the people of Orissa in the form of phases of the sun, the moon, birth of divinities Raja-Sankranti(swing-festival), Akhaya- and agricultural operations. Legends have trutiya, Gamha-purnima, Manabasa-gurubara, grown connecting these festivals with Nuakhai etc. mythological events recorded in the Puranas Raja is an agriculture oriented festival, and other religious literatures. They intend to mostly observed in the coastal districts of inspire faith and virtuous life among the people Orissa for three days. The last day of month as a result of which religious impact pervades "Jestha" is known as "Pahili Raja" and the first the celebration or observance of all the festivals. day of month "Asadha" is Raja Sankranti Though festivals are deeply associated (Mithuna Sankranti) from which rainy season with religion (faith), the main purpose seems starts. It also inaugurates the agricultural year to be recreational. They mitigate the monotony all over Orissa which marks the moistening of of life. Man and women tired of hard routine summer parched soil with the first shower of work need change or relaxation which festivals monsoon making it ready for productivity. The provide. Thus festivals promote a common second day of "Asadha" is known as "Bhuin cause, develop social solidarity, fellow feeling Dahana". To celebrate the advent of monsoon and mutual co-operation. They also instill self- the joyous festival is arranged for three days. discipline and emphasizes the spiritual value Even in some places of Orissa the fourth day of human existence besides providing of Raja festival is also celebrated in the name enjoyment and recreation. of "Basumata Puja". During this festival In ancient days most of the celebrations Mother Earth or "Basu Mata" is considered to were agricultural in their basic character having be a menstruating woman. Hence digging of festivals mostly related to various agricultural soil or tempering it in any way is strictly operations. People thought certain divine prohibited. The Mother Earth is said to undergo powers were associated with various aspects pollution due to menstruation and given rest of human life and festivals were scheduled in just like a woman imposed with several honour of Gods and Goddesses, who were restrictions.

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Raja is also considered as one of the chief types of cake, fried rice (mudhi) and vegetable festivals of un-married girls or the potential curry. mothers. The women folk, especially the While girls scatter beauty, music all virgins, forbid all kinds of manual works during round moving up and down on the swings these three days of Raja-festival. They don't during this festival, young men give themselves carry water, cut vegetables, sweep the houses, busy in various types of country games sew clothes, grind grains, comb hair, walk in bare foot etc. So, all kind of restrictions are including Kabadi competition. While 'Yatras' imposed both for the land and the women-folk. and 'Gotipua' dances are arranged at night in prosperous villages; plays and other Although Raja Sankranti is celebrated all entertainment programmees are also conducted over Orissa, it is more enthusiastically observed by amateur artists in relatively less prosperous in the coastal districts of the State. The un- places. married girls or virgins observe the restrictions prescribed for a menstruating woman. On the The communal mode of worship, from first day of Raja Sankranti they rise before the time immemorial, has taken the form of dawn,do their coiffure, anoint their bodies with festivals. All communal worships have tended turmeric paste and oil, then take the purification to assume the form of festivals. Festivals bath in the river or tank. Bathing for rest two always involves the community, a gathering, a days of the festival is strictly prohibited. During mela or a fair. It is the expression of a these three days girls are seen in the best of community on a festive and relaxed mood. their dresses and decorations, eating cakes and Festivals are an inextricable part of Indian rich food at the houses of friends and relatives. society. There are some festivals like Rakhi- They move up and down in the swings rending purnima, Holi, Diwali, Durga-puja, Shiva-ratri, the village sky with their joyous impromptu Makara-sankranti which are observed all over songs. The swings are tied to the branches of India though their mode of celebrations are Mango or Banyan trees and decorated with different from state to state. On the contrary, garlands of different flowers. The virgins of there are also certain festivals which are purely the village gather there on this festive occasion regional and sectarian. In India the months are and one of them is elected as Dolo-rani (queen counted on the basis of solar or lunar of the swing). When the queen takes her seat movements. While the month is calculated, in on the swing, the virgins move her forward solar system, from Sankranti to Sankranti, that and backward with chorus of charming songs. is counted in lunar system from Purnima to These songs are full of jolly spirit of girl-hood Purnima (full-moon). The number of festivals days and refer to glorious future, happy love observed in Orissa are many compared to other and would be marriage with suitable husbands. regions of the country. Amongst them Raja- Special varieties of cake prepared out sankranti, Kumara-purnima, Prathamastami of recipes like rice-powder, molasses, coconut, are some of the festivals which are specifically camphor, ghee etc goes in the name of Poda- meant for the young. pitha (burnt-cake ). The size of the cake varies according to the number of family members. Cakes are also exchanged among relatives and Pravukalyan Mohapatra is a Bhubaneswar based friends. Young girls do not take rice during freelance journalist, and lives at Qr. No: V/R 3/2, this festival and sustain only with different Unit-3, Bhubaneswar-751001,

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