Raja Parba

What is worn for Raja Parba

Raja Parba is a three day festival of Odisha held in mid June, when the sun enters Gemini and the first rains come. The earth is thought to rest and renew herself, like a woman, so ploughing and digging stop. Girls and young women are freed from housework, swing on ropes tied to trees, play games and eat pitha, the rice cakes of the state. They wear new sarees, and many put on alta, the red dye, on the feet, and flowers in the hair. Cotton and silk sarees of Odisha, such as Sambalpuri, are popular. The first day is often the 14th, with the later days following, and the exact start can shift by a day.

The sarees

Sambalpuri sareeA new Odisha ikat for the swing and the games.Bomkai sariAnother Odisha weave bought for the festival.