Dol Jatra

Story Summary

Dol Jatra of Dol Purnima celebrations

As the last chills of winter thaws and gives way to spring season, India is smeared in colors. In fact, Indians all around the world celebrate the festival of color Holi. People take to the street in droves, smearing each other with gulaal (powdered color), throw water balloons at each other and spray colors with pichkari. Guests are offered sweets, ladoos, cream, and sometimes the intoxicating bhang. While people across northern India celebrate Holi, Bengalis celebrate Dol Purnima or Dol Jatra. In fact other than Bengal, Dol is also celebrated in Orissa, Assam, and certain parts of other states too. The format remains the same with people smearing each other with abir (gulaal). Children lay a strict vigil outside their homes with loaded pichkari to spray passersby with color. Homemade butter, cream and panchamrit are served to guests. Young people apply pinch of abir to the feet of elders, while elders bless them by applying abir as tika on their forehead. With so much similarity, Holi and Dol are the same festival and yet unique.

Holi is one of the most ancient festivals of Hindus and it predates Dol celebration. Ancient manuscripts reveal that Raja Harshvardhana, the Pushyabhuti emperor, celebrated Holi in 600 B.C. In fact, reference to the festival of colors can be found in Raja Harshvardhana’s play Ratnavali. In those times the festival was called Holika or Holik. Its origin can be found in the Skanda Purana, in reference to Holika, sister of the demon king Hiranyakashipu. As per the legend, the king’s son Prahlad was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. This was unacceptable to the demon king and he tried to force Prahlad to stop worshipping the Lord. Prahlad was thrown in deep wells, snake-infested pits, and in front of raging elephants. Yet, every single time, he escaped unharmed. Finally Holika decided to step into a burning pyre with her nephew as she was protected by her black magic. However, the fire completely engulfed her while the pious Prahlad was unharmed. This event, referred to as Holika Dahan, is still celebrated the day before Holi by burning bonfires. The Bengalis refer to it as Nerapora and children often place a clay witch inside the pyre before lighting it up.

Another origin of Holi can be traced bacmrefers to the romance of Lord Krishna and Radha. As the story goes, one day a dejected Krishna approached mother Yashoda. He innocent question: why was he so dark complexioned while Radha was so fair. Yashoda replied that if both of them were covered in the same color then there would be no difference in their skin color. The mischievous Krishna covered himself with phag or powdered color and smeared Radha with the same color in front of her sakhis. As a result of Krishna’s playfulness, everyone started playing with colors.

The second origin of Holi is more in line with the Bengali tradition of Dol as it was traditionally a Vaishnavi festival. According to their legend, on Phagun purnima or the first full moon of Phagun, Lord Krishna declared his love for Radha in the Kunj forest of Vrindavan. They played with colors and spent their time on a swing. To this day during processions, devotees carry Radha and Krishna in a palanquin or on a swing. Another reason why Dol is so popular among Vaishnavas is because Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was born on this occasion. He was a Vaishnava saint who preached the word of love in reference to Radha-Krishna and is revered by Bengalis around the world.

The First day of Dol, also known as Gondh is celebrated by lighting up bonfires in the evening. Drums and other percussion instruments accompany throngs of devotees in the kirtan ghar. Vaishnava community members arrange processions in reference to the journey of Lord Krishna, as he visits one of his wives, Ghunucha. The second day, also called Bhor-Dol is when the festivities begin. With gusto, devotees and people alike play with colors. People of all communities take part in the carnival of colors. Idols of Radha and Krishna are adorned with abir and are paraded through the streets in a palanquin. The third day is similar to the second day with continuing festivities. The fourth day, also called Sueri, signifies the journey of Lord Krishna back to Lakshmi. Devotees take the procession back to the kirtan ghar. However, Lakshmi is angry at her husband Lord Krishna and the gates are blocked with bamboo sticks and her devotees stop the procession. There is a brief playful moment between both groups as they engage in a verbal jousting. Finally the bamboos are broken while Lord Krishna and Mother Lakshmi are reunited.

Even though they might have different origins, Holi and Dol Jatra is basically the same festival. One celebrates the victory of good over evil and the other celebrates love. Both are celebrated on the first full moon of Phagun and both signal the advent of spring. It should also be noted that Dol Purnima marks the end of the year as per the Bengali lunar calend