Festive Sway: Girls take a break from daily routine and swing on the doli ahead of Raja festival in Bhubaneswar on Thursday. Picture by Sanjib Mukherjee

Bhubaneswar, June 13: Attention ladies! Would you rather swing in a doli or beat someone at puchhi, the traditional game played by village girls? Or perhaps you would prefer to show off your pitha-making skills.

Whatever your liking, various cultural organisations are holding events just for you to celebrate Raja to the hilt.

From folk songs and dances to preparation of authentic local dishes, cultural organisations are giving urban revellers a chance to experience the original traditions of Raja.

On Thursday, Jayadev Bhavan saw a gathering of over 200 women from varied age groups taking part in contests based on Raja celebrations. Hosted by cultural youth organisation Darpan, the event went into its 14th year this time. Girls till the age of 15 took part in contests such as Odissi dance, folk song and dance as well as modern dance. Puchhi was thoroughly enjoyed by contestants as well as onlookers. There was also an exciting competition of antakshari on Odia songs.

In the evening, women took part in a poda pitha-making contest and also prepared other country cakes such as monda, kakara and chakuli. There was also a special presentation of Odissi dance drama Barasake Thare Asichhi Raja composed by Debaprasad Das.

“Raja festivities are best seen in the villages. We have seen our mother and sisters sing and play indoor games such as kaudi and cards as well as outdoor games such as puchhi, skipping the rope and, of course, swinging on the doli,” said Chittaranjan Mohanty, secretary of Darpan.

He added: “Since it is a time to have fun and take a break from daily chores, they would prepare the pithas a day before. But that fervour is definitely missing in urban life. So, we have been holding contests since 14 years to generate awareness and create interest for these traditional rituals.”

The two main elements of Raja, Raja paan (betel) and the doli or swing, are visible at all the festivities. At the BDA City Centre, for instance, the celebrations will begin with swings, special rides and other attractions for women from Pahili Raja — the first day of the three-day festival that begins on Friday.

Here too, a range of contests such as paan-making, pitha-making, folk dances and songs have been organised. These contests will be hosted on Saturday and Sunday. The highlights are drawing patterns on the floor, or jhoti-making competition, mehndi designing and puchhi contests.

Cultural organisation Milani is hosting a poetry recitation competition on Sunday at Jaydev Bhavan. litterateur Satakadi Hota and cricketer Swagatika Rath will take part in the events.

“I love celebrating Raja with my cousins and friends. It’s fun to compete in swinging contests and try to swing as high as you can,” said Rath.

A special celebration has also been organised by the Odisha Patita Udhar Samiti for prisoners and their children. The festivities will be held on Friday on the special jail compound here. From pithas, paan and swings to new clothes, the events will include all elements of the festival.