THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
NEW
DELHI, JUNE 14, 2026
“Raja reminds us to live in harmony with
nature,” President Droupadi Murmu said on Sunday as she extended heartfelt
greetings to citizens across the country, especially the people of Odisha, on
the occasion of Raja Parba, one of the state’s most cherished harvest
festivals.
In a message posted
on X, the President described Raja as a vibrant celebration of nature, agriculture
and the arrival of the monsoon, reflecting India’s rich cultural traditions and
the deep bond between people and the environment. She noted that the festival
honours the Earth, motherhood and rain-bearing clouds, symbolising gratitude
towards nature’s life-sustaining forces.
“On the occasion of the harvest festival
‘Raja’, I extend my heartfelt greetings to the people of the country,
especially the people of Odisha,” she said, highlighting the festival’s
enduring cultural significance.
Emphasising the
unique spirit of Raja, President Murmu said the festivities, marked by
traditional pithas, betel leaves and swing games, carry a timeless message of
ecological balance and respect for nature. “This inviting festival of the
monsoon season is celebrated to honour the earth, the mother, and the clouds.
Within the festivities of pithas, betel leaves and swing games, Raja reminds us
to live in harmony with nature,” she said.
The President also
linked the festival’s values to the broader goal of national progress,
expressing hope that its essence would inspire collective commitment towards
development. “I hope that this special essence of the Raja festival will
inspire us to dedicate ourselves to nation-building,” she added.
Conveying her best wishes, Murmu prayed for happiness, peace and prosperity for people in Odisha and across the country.
Raja Parba, which began on Sunday, will be celebrated over three days, marking the onset of the monsoon and symbolically celebrating the fertility and womanhood of Mother Earth. The festival features traditional swings known as Doli Jhula, folk festivities and popular delicacies such as Poda Pitha, Manda Pitha and Arisa Pitha, making it a colourful expression of Odisha’s cultural heritage and its enduring harmony with nature.
