“Dolecha Dologovindam, Chapecha Madhausudhanam
Rathetu Bamanam Drustwa, Punarjanma Nalabhyate”
Dola Purnima or Dol Poornima is the auspicious day during Holi festival celebrations in Orissa. Dola Purnima 2011 is celebrated on 19th March. The celebrations of Dola Purnima are similar to that of Dol Purnima festival in Bengal. The festival is also known as Dolajatra or Dol Yatra.
Dol Purnima harks the advent of Spring and is synonymous with Shri Radha Krishna. Around the region of Braj bhoomi – Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana and Nandgaon this is one of the prime celebrations, on the last full moon day of Phalguna. It also marks the birthday of saint Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
Legend has it that Hiranyakashipu ordered demoness Holika to burn Prahlad in a fire. The fireproof demon Holika died but Prahlad survived due to the grace of Lord Vishnu. The tradition of symbolically burning Holika stayed. In Southern India Holika dahan signifies the burning of Kamdeva due to the wrath of Lord Shiva.
In Orissa and Bengal, Holi Celebrations will begin on Phagu Dasami and end on Phalgun Poornima or main Holi festival will be celebrated on the day after Dol Purnima.
In Bengal Dol Purnima is a day of colours, revelry and as with most celebrations in Bengal – sweets – malpoa, kheer sandesh, basanti sandesh (saffron), saffron milk, payash etc. The west Indian expats brought with them bhang, it stayed. In Shantiniketan Dol Jatra is celebrated with songs and dance of Rabindranath tagore.
The tradition followed in Puri is similar. After Holika dahan ladies mark out the site with a mixture of powdered raw rice and turmeric. The idols of Shri Radha Krishna is replaced by Lord Jagannath. After all he is but another synonym of Krishna.
The palanquin with the Lord is taken out in a procession. In the evening, milkmen, carry the Lord on their shoulders, for Krishna belonged to their clan. It is scented ‘abir’, colours, sweets and celebrations till evening, when the Lords take a bath and return to temple.
In some places, the new Oriya Panchang or almanac is read after the swing festival. In some regions, the festival comes to an end only on the tenth day and this is known as Dasa Dola. Numerous fairs are also organized during this period, which is called as Dola Jatra or Dol Yatra.
Dola Yatra from Lord Jagannath temple Puri to ‘’Dolabedi,’’ Jagannath (substitute) Dolagobinda, along with Maa Laxmi & Swarasati going to play holi at Dolabadi Puri Thousand of pilgrims & Tourist Enjoying this day.
“Dola Purnima” is a popular festival in the coastal districts of Odishaa. Lord Jagannath is worshiped as the name of Dolagovinda in this festival. On this day Odiya calendar becomes ready and it is worshiped on Dolabedi infront of Dolagovinda. It is the full-moon day in the month of Falguna.
This festival is mentioned as Basantotsab or Vasantotsav or Basant rithu festival in Puranic texts.
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