Pahili Raja : |
|
Pahili Raja is also known as Prior Raja. Pahili Raja Festival is the first day of three-day Raja Sankranti in Orissa. The festival is dedicated to Mother earth, girls and women. Farmers prepare for the ensuing monsoon season by giving rest to farmlands for three days. Girls and women do not do any work for three days and they indulge in fun, games and merrymaking. In 2010, the date of Pahili Raja is June 14.
To celebrate the advent of monsoon, the joyous festival is arranged for three days by the villagers. Though celebrated all over the state it is more enthusiastically observed in the districts of Cuttack, Puri and Balasore. The first day is called "Pahili Raja" (Prior Raja), second is "Raja" (Proper Raja) and third is "Basi Raja" (Past Raja). |
