Dol Purnima (Holi), one of the most significant religious festivals for Sanatan Hindu community, is being celebrated at Phulbari upazila in Kurigram district.
As in previous years, this year too, the three-day long celebration of Dol Purnima is being observed with great enthusiasm and excitement.
On Friday, March 14, various temples in the region hosted a range of religious ceremonies, including worship, homa yagga (sacred fire rituals), and distribution of prasad, organized by the local Sanatan Hindu community.
On the second day of the festival, from 9 AM to 4 PM, devotees applied colored powders to the feet of the Dol Thakur (the deity) at temples, praying for the welfare of the world. Amidst the sounds of ululation, followers of the Hindu faith gathered in large numbers from morning, offering prayers to Lord Krishna and Radha.
Devotees, dressed in colors, prayed for the fulfillment of their desires and for happiness and peace in their homes.
Dol Yatra, a festival rooted in Vaishnavism, commemorates the event in which Lord Krishna, along with Radha and her friends, played with colored powders in Vrindavan. This event is the origin of the tradition of playing Dol (Holi).
As per this tradition, devotees color the idols of Radha and Krishna and take them on a procession while singing kirtans. Over time, the tradition of using flowers in the celebration has been replaced with the use of colored powders, or abir.
Throughout the day, from morning till evening, the festival is being celebrated in every household, temple, and mandap in the area. On Saturday, after the morning puja, people from all over the region will gather at the historic Naodanga Zamidar Bari, Rabaitati, and Basuniahatari in the upazila to celebrate with traditional fairs and festivities.
Beauty Rani from Kashipur and Radharani Ray from Phulmati shared that they pray for the welfare of their families, country, and nation during Gaur Purnima every year.
When asked if they felt any difference in this year’s celebration, they responded that they were content with the way the festival was being held, just as it was last year.
Priests Sourendra Nath Goswami and Birendra Nath Barman mentioned that many people from the local Hindu community observe a fast throughout the day of Dol Utsab, making a pilgrimage to Lord Krishna’s feet.
Bimal Chandra Ray, president of Naodanga Zamidar Bari Festival Committee, and Dinobundho Ray, general secretary, mentioned that the Dol Utsab is a longstanding tradition. The celebration will be hosted this year on the premises of the Zamidar House, with grand arrangements as always.
Phulbari Police Station officer-in-charge (OC) Mamunur Rashid assured that extensive security arrangements have been made to ensure that the Dol Utsab celebrations are peaceful. Police forces have been deployed at all key locations and additional patrols by both regular and village police will continue through the celebrations.
OC Rashid also emphasized that he will personally monitor the events at the various venues to ensure the success of the Dol Utsab, with the cooperation of the local community.
ACR/SH
