Raja Parba 2026
Date: June 14 to June 16, 2026
Full Date
June 14, 2026 Morning – June 16, 2026 Evening
Muhurat Timings in India
Pahili Raja
First day of Raja Parba involving ceremonial oiling, new attire, and decorations.
June 14, 2026 Morning – June 14, 2026 Evening
Mithuna Sankranti
Second day marking the beginning of the solar month Mithuna and onset of monsoon.
June 15, 2026 Morning – June 15, 2026 Evening
Bhudaaha (Basi Raja)
Third day when women perform rituals bathing the grinding stone symbolizing purification of the earth.
June 16, 2026 Morning – June 16, 2026 Evening
Introduction
Raja Parba is a cultural festival celebrating menstruation, fertility, and womanhood, predominantly observed in Odisha with unique customs, rituals, and joyous activities for women.
Other Names
Raja Sankranti, Swing Festival
Pooja Vidhi
- Commence with cleaning the house, kitchen, and grinding stones.
- Conduct rituals including applying turmeric paste to represent Mother Earth.
- Decorate homes and sarees with flowers and traditional items.
- Celebrate with cultural songs, dances, and communal feasts.
Rituals
- Women observe a break from household chores and farming.
- Wearing new sarees and adorning themselves with traditional jewelry.
- Playing traditional indoor and outdoor games and swinging on tree swings.
- Offering turmeric paste, flowers, and fruits to Mother Earth represented by the grinding stone.
Regional Highlights
- Major festival in Odisha celebrating womanhood and nature.
- Promotes rest for women, cultural games, and community togetherness.
- Focuses on the earth's fertility cycle and agricultural readiness.
History
The festival symbolizes the earth’s menstrual cycle and honors the feminine energy that sustains life. It marks the beginning of monsoon and preparing the land for cultivation.
Additional Information
- Raja Parba reflects reverence for feminine energy and natural cycles.
- The festival is unique for its celebration of women's roles in society.
- Traditional dances, music, and delicacies like poda pitha are integral.