Raja Sankranti is a three-day festival dedicated to girls and women in Orissa. The festival also welcomes the impending monsoon season and people do not indulge in farming during the period. Mother earth is given three days rest. The first day of the festival is known as Pahili Sankranti, the second day is Raja and third day is Basi Raja. In 2010, Raja Sankranti begins on (date) June 14 and ends on June 16.
The festival is associated with fertility cult. Women observe for three days all the rules that they observe during the menstruation period. Young women are equated with Mother Earth during Raja Sankranti.
A major highlight of the festival is the special swings prepared for women and girls on huge banyan trees. Numerous different types of swings are prepared for the festival. Women indulge in merry making and swinging on all the three-days. Women do not perform any puja and do not visit temples during the period.
There is a popular belief that the three-day period of Raja Sankranti is meant for unmarried girls who will be getting married in the coming year. Women are seen in colorful dresses and well-groomed on all the three days.
Special delicacies are prepared for women during the period including Poda Pitha.
Numerous competitions are held during the period in rural areas.
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