Revellers all set for Raja today

Bhubaneswar: Revellers soaked in the festivities of the three-day Raja Festival that will begin across the state on Tuesday. Community celebration of the festival has become the latest trend with swings, games, poda pitha and pana available at several venues across the city.
“We have planned to enjoy the three-day festival by visiting all the community Raja celebration venues. Earlier, only swings used to be fixed at one place, that too at mango orchards but this time organisers have arranged for shopping, swings, sweets and lots of fun,” said Sidhhi Sunidhi, an MBA student.
Excitement was at its peak among people of all ages and sections for the celebration of Raja festival without any restrictions after two years of Covid pandemic.
“We have put up a stall at Raja celebrations at Pahala where we showcased our eco-friendly jewellery brand, EcoDarshini, which we made using natural raw materials like bamboo,” said Priyadarsini Das, an entrepreneur.
And what is Raja without the wafting aroma of poda pitha? “Like every year we have mage huge quantities of pithas of different varieties keeping in mind the increasing demand after the pandemic. But this year many women self-help-groups are making pithas commercially,” said Bimbadhar Behera, owner of Nimapada Sweets. He said the price of pithas has risen 10% after the rise in prices of raw materials and other ingredients.
Odisha Tourist Guide Association is organising Raja at Dhauli with swings, pitha and pana. Five Odia films were also released on the occasion of Raja festival.Mehendi-makers are also much in demand.