Raja Festival 2025: President Murmu, Odisha CM extend greetings on Day 1
Synopsis
On the first day of Odisha's Raja Festival, President Droupadi Murmu, Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi all extended greetings — highlighting an agrarian celebration that doubles as a formal honouring of womanhood and a call for ecological harmony. The festival's three-day observance, rooted in the belief that Mother Earth rests during this period, began on 14 June 2025.
Key Takeaways
President Droupadi Murmu extended greetings on 14 June 2025 , the first day of the three-day Raja Festival in Odisha.
Murmu posted her message on X , calling the festival a reminder to live in harmony with Mother Nature.
Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati described Raja as a celebration of Odisha's culture, nature, and tradition, with an embedded message of environmental protection.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi called the festival a living tradition of Odia cultural identity and a celebration of feminine power.
According to cultural belief, Mother Earth rests during these three days; farmers suspend agricultural activities in reverence, and women are relieved of daily duties.
Key festival traditions include pitha (rice cakes), betel leaves , and swing games .
President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday, 14 June extended greetings to the nation — and particularly to the people of Odisha — on the opening day of the Raja Festival, the state's celebrated three-day agrarian festival that honours the earth, the monsoon, and feminine power. Murmu took to her X (formerly Twitter) handle to share the message, calling the occasion a reminder to live in harmony with Mother Nature.
President Murmu's Message
In her post, President Murmu described the Raja Festival — locally called 'Gana Parba Raja' — as a celebration marking the arrival of the monsoon season, observed in reverence to the earth and the clouds. 'The festival, which marks the arrival of the monsoon season, is celebrated to honor the earth, the mother, and the clouds,' she wrote.
She highlighted the festival's distinctive traditions — pitha (traditional Odia rice cakes), betel leaves, and swing games — as expressions of a deeper philosophy of coexistence with nature. 'I hope that this special essence of the Raja festival will inspire us to dedicate ourselves to nation-building,' she added, wishing happiness, peace, and prosperity for the people of Odisha and the country.
Governor and Chief Minister Join the Celebrations
Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati also conveyed his wishes, describing Raja as 'a grand celebration of Odisha's culture, nature, progress, and tradition.' He emphasised that the festival carries an inherent message of environmental protection. 'On the joyous occasion of the Raja festival, I extend my best wishes and congratulations to the brothers and sisters of Odisha,' he said.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi called the Raja Festival a living tradition of Odia cultural identity and 'the celebration of the unique confluence of Mother Earth and feminine power.' He stated that the festival is not merely a seasonal transition but reflects the 'profound cultural ethos of Odisha's eternal consciousness.'
Cultural Significance of Raja Festival
According to Odia cultural belief, Mother Earth herself undergoes a period of rest during these three days — a cycle honoured by farmers who suspend all agricultural activities as an expression of gratitude. In households across the state, daughters, mothers, and sisters are traditionally relieved of their daily responsibilities, with the festival serving as a formal recognition of their dignity and freedom.
CM Majhi invoked the festival's key symbols in his message: 'May the lofty rhythmic swings of Raja propel our journey of development with greater momentum. May the sweet aroma of Poda Pitha strengthen our social harmony and familial bonds, and may the sweetness of Raja Paan fill the hearts of every Odia with renewed hope, fresh enthusiasm, and the joy of new aspirations and resolve.'
What the Festival Represents
The Raja Festival, observed annually ahead of the monsoon, is one of Odisha's most prominent cultural events, blending agrarian reverence with a celebration of womanhood. This year's three-day observance began on 14 June 2025. As the festival continues, it draws attention not only as a cultural landmark but also as an occasion that foregrounds ecological awareness and gender respect — themes that resonate well beyond the state's borders.
Point of View
Governor, and Chief Minister are ceremonial in nature, the festival's underlying framework — suspending farm work, relieving women of domestic duties, recognising a 'rest period' for Mother Earth — is a centuries-old articulation of ecological and gender consciousness. That this message is being amplified from Rashtrapati Bhavan signals a quiet effort to mainstream Odisha's indigenous traditions into the national cultural conversation, particularly as climate and gender equity debates intensify. Whether the political messaging translates into substantive policy support for Odia cultural preservation remains an open question.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Raja Festival celebrated in Odisha?
The Raja Festival, also called 'Gana Parba Raja,' is a three-day agrarian festival in Odisha that marks the arrival of the monsoon and honours Mother Earth. It is rooted in the cultural belief that the earth undergoes a period of rest during these days, during which farmers suspend agricultural activities and women are relieved of household duties.
When does the Raja Festival 2025 begin?
The Raja Festival 2025 began on 14 June 2025 and is observed over three days. It is one of Odisha's most prominent annual cultural events.
What did President Droupadi Murmu say about the Raja Festival?
President Murmu posted on X that the Raja Festival is celebrated to honour the earth, the mother, and the clouds, and expressed hope that its spirit would inspire people to dedicate themselves to nation-building. She wished happiness, peace, and prosperity to the people of Odisha and the country.
What are the key traditions of the Raja Festival?
The Raja Festival is marked by the preparation of pitha (traditional Odia rice cakes, including Poda Pitha), sharing of betel leaves (Raja Paan), and swing games. Women are traditionally given a break from their daily responsibilities as a mark of respect and celebration.
Who else extended greetings on the occasion of Raja Festival 2025?
Apart from President Droupadi Murmu, Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi also extended greetings, each highlighting the festival's cultural, ecological, and social significance.
