26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Odia community celebrates Raja fest in Hamburg
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Rourkela: The Odia Association Hamburg and North Germany celebrated Raja Parba, a traditional festival honouring womanhood and the monsoon season, with great enthusiasm in Hamburg on Sunday.
The celebration brought together Odia families from Hamburg and neighbouring cities like Pinneberg and Lübeck, transforming a corner of Germany into a slice of Odisha for the day.
"Raja is not just a festival. It celebrates femininity, nature, and our deep connection with the land," said Jayashree Sahoo, a member of the Odia Association Hamburg and North Germany. "Celebrating it here in Hamburg brings back memories of our roots and helps the next generation feel proud of their heritage."
The event featured traditional elements, including decorated jhulas (swings), where women and children participated in the customary swinging ritual. Attendees, dressed in traditional attire, danced to popular Odia folk songs like 'Banaste Dakila Gaja'.
A highlight of the celebration was the authentic Odia cuisine served at the venue. The menu included traditional delicacies such as 'poda pitha', 'kakera Pitha', 'chandrakanti', and kheeri among the sweets, while savoury dishes featured 'chingudi jhola', 'mutton jhola', 'ambula rai', and 'chattu besar'. The traditional pan was also served as part of the celebrations.
