Latest news with #Rajafestival
Hans India
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Raja festival begins in Odisha
Bhubaneswar: President Droupadi Murmu, Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik on Saturday greeted the people of Odisha as the three-day Raja festival began across the State. The State welcomes the Raja festival every year as a mark of respect for womanhood, fertility and the rhythms of Mother Earth. This time, the festival, reflecting deep-rooted traditions and cultural pride, will be observed from June 14 to 16. President Murmu posted on X: 'I am wishing my dear countrymen heartily on the occasion of Raja festival. On the arrival of rainy season, honouring Mother Earth this agrarian festival is observed by eating sweets, playing swings, kabaddi and betel and sweet drinks. This festival is celebrated for three days in Odisha. From this, we should take inspiration from walking in harmony with nature.' She also said, 'On the occasion of Raja festival, I wish happiness and prosperity for the State and the countrymen.' The X handle of Governor Odisha said: 'On the occasion of Krishivithik Gana Parv # Raja the Hon'ble Governor Shri @DrHariBabuK has extended his greetings and best wishes and wished that the eternal spirit of this festival may be felt by all. #RajaParba.' Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who hails from Keonjhar district, where Raja is a major festival, also wished the people of the State. 'Greetings and best wishes to everyone on the auspicious occasion of Gana Parva, a unique tradition of honouring tradition, nature, motherhood and womanhood. May this festival bring joy and happiness to everyone's lives.#Raja #PahiliRaja,' he said. Former chief minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik also congratulated the people on the occasion and said: 'Heartiest greetings to everyone on the occasion of Odisha's mass festival, Raja. May this unique tradition of paying homage to the land and mother fill everyone's lives with joy and happiness. #RajaParba.' The nomenclature of thefestival 'Raja' is rooted in the Sanskrit word 'Rajaswala' (meaning menstruation). Raja marks a symbolic period when Mother Earth is believed to rest and rejuvenate, like women during their menstrual cycle, said Asit Mohanty, a researcher in Odia culture. He said the festival also witnesses the beginning of cultivation works which comes coinciding with the onset of the monsoon month 'Asadha'. During the festival, young girls and women rejoice by wearing new clothes, applying henna and alta, playing traditional games, enjoying swings called - 'Raja Doli', and eating festive foods, mostly handmade cakes. Special sweets like Poda Pitha, Arisha, Kakara and others are prepared at houses and offered toguests, Mohanty said.
Time of India
21 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
Central team to visit Jajpur to take stock of cholera situation
1 2 3 Bhubaneswar/Kendrapada: As the health department works on a war footing to control the cholera situation in Jajpur district and some places in Bhadrak, Keonjhar and Cuttack districts, a 14-member health team from the Centre will visit Jajpur on Sunday to take stock of the situation. Dr Nilakantha Mishra, director of public health, Odisha, said, "The team will go to the cholera-affected sites, study the problems, and help us in tackling the situation." He said under the direction of director general of health services (DGHS), a seven-member health team and a three-member food safety team will visit the affected areas. A four-member independent food quality team has been sent by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India too, he added. "These teams will visit the affected areas, assess the public health situation, and provide necessary recommendations to field-level officers, state, and central govts regarding the causes and solutions," said Mishra. The death toll reached 11 unofficially in the district with the death of an affected man, Ghanashyam Prusti, 72, of Tarailo village under Danagadi block in Jajpur district. He died on Friday night at the community health centre (CHC), Anandapur, in neighbouring Keonjhar district. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Shiloh Jolie debuts new name in unexpected powerful appearance BigGlobalTravel Undo Misra said 1,306 out of total 1,516 people suffering from diarrhoea have recovered. Doctors are hopeful that the remaining 200 people will recover soon, he added. Panic gripped many affected villages on Saturday after the health department found cholera bacteria in stool samples of affected persons. The district administration on Saturday advised the people not to organise any community feast in the district during the three-day Raja festival from Saturday to Monday to check spread of cholera and diarrhoea. "We have directed officials of the rural water supply and sanitation (RWSS) wing to replace damaged pipelines to supply drinking water and repair and disinfect all tubewells and wells," said collector (Jajpur) P Anvesha Reddy. She also advised people to drink only boiled water and not to consume unhygienic food. She emphasised the importance of providing fresh water through tankers in affected areas and instructed officials to ensure adequate supply of intravenous fluids and ORS packets for patients. The authorities on Saturday sealed a water bottling plant in Vyasanagar locality as it was running illegally without govt permission. "We collected water samples from the plant and sent the samples to our laboratory in Bhubaneswar for testing. After getting the report, we will take proper action against the plant," said RWSS executive engineer, Rashmi Ranjan Mardha. He said they are disinfecting ponds, tube wells, wells, and other water sources in the district. "We are also providing drinking water through tankers in many affected villages," he added. Dr Bijay Kumar Mishra, chief district medical and public health officer, Jajpur, said the outbreak started on June 9 evening. "Around 2,500 people consumed food in a community feast at a place in Jajpur district. That might have contributed something to the outbreak. Other reasons might be there. If we analyse the hospital admission statistics on Saturday, we can say the situation is coming under control," he added. He said food and water samples have been sent for testing too, apart from rectal swabs. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Time of India
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Raja, celebrating nature and womanhood, begins
1 2 Bhubaneswar: In a vibrant display of cultural heritage and harmony, Raja festival commenced across the state on Saturday, painting the landscape with colours of tradition and joy. The three-day celebrations, deeply rooted in the state's cultural fabric, marks a unique celebration of Mother Earth's regenerative cycle. As the monsoon clouds gather, young girls adorned in new attire and intricate mehendi designs climb traditional swings, their laughter mixing with the breeze. The air is filled with the enticing aroma of freshly prepared pithas and special paan, as vendors across cities and villages set up elaborate stalls showcasing the seasonal delicacies. President Droupadi Murmu highlighted the festival's significance, emphasising its deep connection to agricultural traditions and natural cycles. "This celebration honours Mother Earth through traditional games like 'Doli' and 'Bagudi', accompanied by special preparations of 'Pithamitha' and refreshing 'pana'," she shared on social media, calling for environmental harmony. The festival's symbolism lies in its recognition of Mother Earth's regenerative pause — a time when the soil is believed to undergo its menstrual cycle, preparing for the upcoming agricultural season. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Pinga-Pinga e HBP? Tome isso 1x ao dia se tem mais de 40 anos Portal Saúde do Homem Clique aqui Undo During the three days, farming activities cease completely, reflecting a deep respect for nature's rhythms. Young unmarried women, seen as embodiments of Mother Earth, get new clothes, cosmetics and festive treats, while being exempt from physical labour. CM Mohan Charan Majhi also greeted the people on the occasion. "Greetings and best wishes to everyone on the auspicious occasion of Raja Parva, a unique tradition of honouring tradition, nature, and womanhood. May this festival bring joy and happiness to everyone's lives," he wrote on X. Communities across the state have embraced the festivities with enthusiasm, organising celebrations featuring traditional games and cultural activities. In Bhubaneswar, localities like Mancheswar, Nayapalli and others become hubs of festive activity, with people expressing their joy in participating in the unique celebration. Devasis Sarangi, a social media user, shared on X, "Raja — the world's only festival that destroys myths and shame around periods and celebrates womanhood! Rest, renewal, food, games and honouring Mother Earth. Let's break taboos and celebrate in style." Adding to the grandeur, Odisha Tourism has organised a special Raja Mahotsava at the Exhibition Ground here, featuring traditional swings, folk performances, pitha stalls and 'alta' art demonstrations. The event provided a platform for both locals and visitors to immerse themselves in the rich cultural tapestry of the festival. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Visually impaired girls celebrate Raja
Berhampur: Several visually impaired girls from a private residential school here celebrated the Raja festival, which began on Saturday. Dressed in vibrant clothes and their faces adorned with makeup, the girls, aged between 5 and 18, swung on swings, sang, danced and relished sweets like kakara and poda pitha. The event took place at a large ground near their school. School secretary, Bhabani Shankar Padhy, said the celebration has become a yearly tradition, made possible with community support. The girls, too, voiced their happiness. "We are very happy to celebrate Raja like everyone else. We feel proud and are no less than anyone," said 12-year-old Ranu Behera. Another student, Sibani Kundu (16), added, "We're thankful to the authorities for the arrangements." "I thank the organisers for bringing smiles to their faces," said Berhampur MLA K Anil Kumar, who joined the celebrations along with Berhampur Municipal Corporation mayor Sanghamitra Dalai, former Berhampur Development Authority chairman Subash Moharana, and other dignitaries. Raja festivities were also held at Pantha Niwas in Gopalpur where guests were treated to traditional sweets and entertainment. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Time of India
a day ago
- Health
- Time of India
Cholera outbreak casts shadow over Raja festivities in Jajpur
Kendrapada: The vibrant colours and joyful customs of the three-day Raja festival have dimmed in Jajpur district, where a cholera outbreak has claimed 11 lives and sparked widespread fear among residents. Health officials confirmed the presence of cholera bacteria in stool samples from eight patients, prompting the administration to advise against traditional community feasts—normally a highlight of the festival season—to prevent further spread of the water-borne disease. "We have urged people to exercise caution during the celebrations," said Jajpur collector P Anvesha Reddy. The advisory comes amid a growing health crisis in villages like Tarailo, Kalapada, and Nanpur, where residents are now prioritising access to safe drinking water over ritual observances. "This is a time of struggle for survival, not celebration," said Mohan Prusti, 42, of Tarailo village, where three people have recently died of diarrhoea. Rajani Behera of Kalapada said, "The govt's failure to control these deadly diseases has cast a shadow over our celebrations." Others, like Manasi Das of Nanpur, blamed the administration's "ineffective response" for the crisis. The death of 26-year-old Dilip Kumar Mallick at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack has further deepened public anxiety Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
