BHUBANESWAR: With the city gearing up for Raja Sankranti, a series of celebrations have been planned by the Orissa Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) to mark the occasion. After tremendous response to last year’s two-day Raja Mahotsav, the OTDC has planned to organise the event this time too. This year, however, the Mahotsav would be held for five days from June 11 at the Pantha Nivas. Sources said besides the Pahili Raja, Raja and Basi Raja, the officials in OTDC decided to extend the celebrations for two more days.As a part of the Mahotsav, a food festival would be organised where authentic Oriya delicacies will be served to visitors. The specialities will be the ‘Poda Pitha’ along with other sweetmeats like ‘Manda’, ‘Kakara’, ‘Aarisha’, ‘Guda pithas, Kheer and Raja paan. Chefs specialising in Oriya cuisine would be roped in. Besides, different types of swings like ‘Ram Doli’, ‘Charki Doli’, ‘Pata Doli’ and ‘Dandi Doli’, which are an integral part of the Raja festival, will be put up on the premises of the Pantha Nivas. Sources in the OTDC said the aim behind the Mahotsav was to revive Raja celebrations which are on the wane in the city. “We want to give a feel of how Raja Sankranti is celebrated in rural parts of the State to the urbanites, who mostly do not have time for the festivities due to their busy schedules,” said OTDC marketing manager Alok Mishra.During all the five days, the Pantha Nivas would be given a village-like setting for the Raja Mohatsav where visitors along with their family and friends can spend long cheery hours exchanging gifts and merry-making, Mishra added.
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