Heavy downpour throughout northern Odisha is all set to dampen the spirit of three-day Raja festival starting from Friday. The region has been witnessing incessant rain for the last two days forcing the festival enthusiasts to stay indoor.
Sources said in last two days, Balasore Sadar block recorded highest 112 mm of rainfall followed by Jaleswar 93 mm, Nilagiri 86 mm, Bahanaga 70 mm, Bhogarai and Simulia 68 mm and Soro block 30 mm.
Though decrease in temperature has brought relief, people feel rain would spoil the celebration. While girls complain that they may not be able to enjoy the swings, boys fear they may not be able to play outdoor games like kabaddi and badi khel which are a part of the festival. One Rosalin Behera said, “I had come to my village to play on swings after seven years as there is no such facility in the urban areas. But the rains have come as a huge disappointment”