Bhubaneswar, June 14: This Raja, a festival celebrating Mother Earth's fertility and the spirit of womanhood, was not only limited to those from the state.

The three-day festival that began today amid the aroma of pitha gave girls from other states an opportunity to soak into the spirit of the carnival.

The Odisha Tourist Guide Association is hosting a Raja Mahotsav on the foothills of the Dhauli peace pagoda for the first time this year. Women tourists irrespective of age were seen enjoying the festivities with local girls there.

Apart from enjoying on decorated wings, visitors, including foreign tourists, were seen applying alata (red paint for feet) and gorging on various types of pithas.

A visitor from Midnapore in Bengal said: "I came to know about the festival when I came here. That it celebrates the fertility of women is in itself very unique. I am lucky that I came here during this time and got to witness how it is celebrated."

Another visitor from Guwahati in Assam, Zodin said: "I had never tried pithas before as they are not available in our state. They have a very different taste."

Women in various parts of the city took part in various competitions, such as mehndi and pitha-making contests, as part of the festivities. A number of cultural programmes were hosted in the evening. Students from various art colleges in the city conducted painting exhibitions where various facets of the festival were canvassed.

However, the age-old tradition of making pithas at home is gradually taking a backseat as people are mostly opting for those available in hotels and food festivals.

One such festival has been hosted by the Odisha Tourism Development Corporation at Panthanivas here.

"Making pithas is a lengthy affair and with most women working nowadays, it has become very difficult to manage time. It is better to procure the pithas from outside," said Madhusmita Mishra, a 30-year-old banker.

The corporation began selling authentic Odia country cakes, such as manda, kakara, aarisha, guda pitha, kheer and Raja paan,from yesterday. On the inaugural day, it made a business of around Rs 70,000.

"We have employed around seven people from outside to ensure timely supply. We are using all traditional equipment and ingredients to retain the age-old taste of pithas," said OTDC marketing manager Alok Mishra.

The pithas are being sold at the counters from 9am to noon and again from 4pm to 8pm.Many people were seen waiting during the afternoon to pack pithas.

One can also take a basket that has an assortment of various pithas that comes at a price of Rs 260 or can also take it separately according to taste. "The demands are quiet high and we are trying our best to supply on time," said Mishra.

The Raja fervour was also at its peak in Cuttack, Puri, Paradip, Kendrapara, Keonjhar, Baripada, Bhadrak and Balasore where women took a break from their household chores to engage various traditional games such as puchhi and kowdi.