Raja Sankranti is a three-day festival dedicated to girls and women in Orissa. Raja Sankranti 2024 date is June 15. It is a three-day festival and the first day is known as Pahili Sankranti (June 14, 2024). The festival also welcomes the impending monsoon season and people do not indulge in farming. Mother earth is given three days rest. The third day of the festival is known as Basi Raja (June 16, 2024).
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.
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.
Basumati Raja festival is observed on the last day of the festival.
Basumati Raja festival is observed on the last day of the festival.
Special delicacies are prepared for women during the period including Poda Pitha.
Numerous competitions are held during the period in rural areas.