On a full moon day, Lord Krishna is honored during the celebration of Dol Jatra or Dol Purnima. According to Vaishnav tradition, Lord Krishna entertained Radhika and other gopis on this day at Vrindavan while playing with Abir or Gulal. That incident is where the swing game started. On the day of the full moon in the Falgun month, it is observed. The day is set, however because the Bengali lunar calendar is used, the date changes annually. The date for this year is 22 Falgun 1429/7 March 2023 (according to the Bengali calendar used in Bangladesh). Previously, the date was March 18, 2022, or 4th Chaitra, 1428.
This festival is also known as Dol Purnima since it is celebrated on the full moon day. On this day, idols of Krishna and Radha are carried in front of a procession on a palanquin heavily decorated with colored powder, vibrant clothing, flowers, and leaves. The palanquin is often pulled by two people, and the procession marches. Palanquin swings while being marched. Doljatra is likely the name of this festival because of this (swinging journey). This day is also known as Gaur Purnima since it marks the birthdate of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
There are numerous legends involving this event. Krishna was believed to have been born and nurtured in Mathura (Braja or Brijabhumi), a city in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. This occasion is grandly observed there. According to one tradition, the day is celebrated as Rang Panchami to honor Radha and Krishna’s, heavenly love. Holi mythology may be found in a number of Indian-American cultures throughout the Caribbean and South America. Nepal and Mauritius also mark this anniversary.
Doljatra is related to a tale involving Kamdev (the god of love), Parvati, and Lord Shiv. During Vasanta Panchami, Parvati requested Kamdev’s help pulling Shiv out of yoga and back into the world so they could marry. Kamdev and his wife Rati (the goddess of love) attempted to help Parvati marry Shiv. Shiv was engrossed in deep concentration. To compel Shiv to marry Parvati, Kamdev, and Rati disrupt his focus by hurling arrows at him.
Shiv opened his third eye due to a lapse in his concentration, and the flame from that eye burned Kamdev to ashes. Rati, enraged, attempted to bounce the arrow, but it failed and was destroyed before striking Shiv. Shiv and Parvati married in the end. During their marriage, Rati begged Shiv to return Kamdev to her. When Shiv consented, Rati returned to Kamdev. The Holi celebration is held forty days after the Vasant Panchami holiday to mark the homecoming of the deity of love. This tale has several versions, particularly during the Holi festival, primarily celebrated in South India.
Dol Purnima, Dol Jatra, Doul Utsav, or Deul is a prominent Holi celebration celebrated in Braj, Bangladesh, and the Indian states of West Bengal, Odisha, and Assam. It is mostly celebrated by the Odisha Gopal community.
