Bhubaneswar: The capital city is bracing to celebrate the annual Raja festival with pomp, gaiety and enthusiasm. Everyone, including malls, shops at Unit-2 Market Building and shopkeepers at other locales, are decorating their establishments with colourful swings, balloons and flowers to attract buyers for the upcoming fest. Orissa POST interacted with several shopkeepers, shoppers and hotel owners to learn about their plans ahead of the much-awaited festival.
Manini Samal, a student of KIIT who had come to buy her Raja dresses at a local mall, was delighted to get an opportunity to swing along with her friend Meera. “These days, one can rarely see 
a swing in the city. So when my friend and I found this beautiful swing, we could not hold ourselves back,” she said with a glee.
Jyostna Panda, resident of Old Town, was happy after buying a manda pitha (Odia delicacy) packet from a local sweetmeat shop.” The aroma of manda, aarisha and other pithas are simply fascinating. So, I thought why not pick some genuinely home-made pithas (pancakes) for my family. It will certainly make my in-laws and other in my family very happy.”
Even youngsters are not far behind. Minati Behera along with her mother Mamta Behera had come all the way from Bhadrak to buy nice dresess, cosmetics and perfumes for the upcoming festival. Usha Puspa Sahu, another localite from Bhadrak, is busy shopping for Raja. She said, “I am here to buy some good, stylish and colourful bangles to wear during Raja Sajbaja.”
Asha Mahapatra, owner of Hotel Presidency, said, “For Raja we are preparing unique Odia delicacies along with Raja-themed foods and drinks. Of course, there are flower-decked jhulas (swings) for our clients to enjoy during the fest.”
Smita, who won the Raja Queen Award at a pre-Raja function, said, “This year I am very happy as my days seem blissful after winning the title.” Kuna Sahoo, who has been selling Raja special Pana (betel leaves) for past ten years in Sahid Nagar, said, “This time orders for special Raja Pana is already overwhelming and I have procured a variety of special Pana masalas to cater to my clients according to their preference. I am hoping to make a handsome profit this time.”
