Raja Parba is an Odisha festival.
The second day marks the start of the solar month of “Mithuna,” which heralds the arrival of rains.
The festival takes place in mid-June.
The first day is known as Pahili Raja, the second as Mithuna Sankranti, and the third as Bhu daaha or Basi Raja.
It is believed that the mother Goddess Earth, or Lord Vishnu’s divine wife, menstruates during the first three days.
Vasumati snana is the fourth and final day (bathing of Mother Earth). Women venerate a stone that represents Mother Earth. They bathe her in turmeric paste, shower her with flowers, and smear her with Sindoor.
The term Raja is derived from Rajaswala (meaning a menstruating woman), and during the mediaeval period, the festival became more popular as an agricultural holiday commemorating the worship of Bhudevi, Lord Jagannath’s wife.