Significance of Dola Purnima - Orissa

                                                                    Dola Purnima


Dola Purnima or Holi is a popular festival in the coastal districts of Orissa. It is the full-moon day in the month of Falguna (March). Through the festival the spring is welcomed and enjoyed with mirth and merriment. This festival has been referred to in the puranical texts as Basantotsaba or the spring-festival
 Dola purnima or Holi is the most famous spring festival of India. Usually celebrated in March It has special properties in its celebration in Orissa where it is a five day affair, especially in the rural areas. The images of Krishna are worshipped form Dashami (10th day of the bright fortnight) to the full moon day.

The images are taken in decorated vimans, small wooden temples, carried on the shoulders of bearers from house to house where offerings are made to them. After the tour of the village the vimanas from different villages are assembled in an open field and the time is spent in bhajana and kirtan. Jatras and palas are also held in the area. The day after the full moon day people throw coloured water on one another and smear each other's faces with coloured powder (3bir).
 The festival is specially important for cattle owing to their association with the cowherd boy Krisllna. They are bathed, anointed with vermillion, garlanded and fed sumptuously. The festival is connected with the destruction of the demon Holikasura or the she-demon Holika by making a bonfire, for which the festival is called Holi.
This is the celebration of romantic union between Radha and Krishna. Beginning this day images of both Radha and Krishna are placed on a swing and are worshipped by smearing them with abir (coloured powder).

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
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.


Dola Purnima in Lord Jagannatha Temple:-

“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.

On the auspicious occasion of Dola Purnima, the four deities inside the sanctum sanctorum of the Sri Mandir will be decked up in Suna Besa seated on the ratna singhasan.
The  Raja Dhiraj Besa or suna besa is much loved by the devotees as divine siblings are decked in gold jewelry embellished with diamond and  gems taken out from the temple treasury.
Lord Jagannatha is worshipped as Dola Govinda during Dola purnima and Lord Govinda with Goddess Sridevi are placed on the dola bedi.
Celebrated on the full-moon day in the month of Falguna, sevayats and devotees apply colours to them.
Today following the rituals the temple door opened at 3 am and after cleaning at 4 am the rituals had begun. This day is also known as ‘Basantotasaba’ or spring festival.

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.

Importance of Dola Purnima:-


An ancient Hindu myth is associated with celebration of Dola. There was once a demon king by the name of Hiranyakashyap who won over the kingdom of earth. He was so egoistic that he commanded everybody in his kingdom to worship him. But to his great disappointment, his sonPrahlad became an ardent devotee of Lord Naarayana and refused to worship his father. Hiranyakashyap tried several ways to kill his son Prahlad but Lord Vishnu saved him every time. Finally, he asked his sister, Holika to enter a blazing fire with Prahlad in her lap. For, Hiranyakashyap knew that Holika had a boon, whereby, she could enter the fire unscathed. Treacherously, Holika coaxed young Prahlad to sit in her lap and she herself took her seat in a blazing fire. The legend has it that Holika had to pay the price of her sinister desire by her life. Holika was not aware that the boon worked only when she entered the fire alone.
Prahlad, who kept chanting Vishnu Nama all this while, came out unharmed, as the lord blessed him for his extreme devotion. Thus, Holi derives its name from Holika.
And, is celebrated as a festival of victory of good over evil. Holi is also celebrated as the triumph of a devotee. As the legend depicts that anybody, howsoever strong,
cannot harm a true devotee. And, those who dare torture a true devotee of god shall be reduced to ashes.

A Multihued Festival:-

"Dola Purnima" or Holi is a popular festival in the coastal districts of Orissa. It is the full-moon day in the month of Falguna. Through the festival the spring is welcomed and enjoyed with mirth and merriment. This festival has been referred to in the puranical texts as "Basantotsaba" or the spring-festival.

Some scriptures testify that the "Madanotsaba", the festival held in honour of 'Madana' or the Cupid was later transformed as the "Dolatsaba" or swing-festival of Krishna. Therefore, Krishna is propitiated on this occasion as "Madanamohana". Description of the festival as Dolatsaba finds mention in a number of 'Puranas' and other Sanskrit texts. The 'Padma Purana' says, "One is expiated of all sins, who gets a vision of Krishna swaying in the swing." Dola Purnima


Time For The Festival:-

Though the festival of Holi is observed for a day with mirth and merriment all over the country, the festival is celebrated for five days in Orissa. It starts from the tenth day of the bright fortnight of the month of Falguna known as "Fagu Dasami". Smearing the heads with 'Abira' (a violet coloured powder) the people take round the idols of Madanamohana in richly decorated palanquins known as "Veemana".

The Procession of Dola Purnima:-

The procession is led by village drummers, pipers and the 'Sankirtana Mandalis'. The procession halts in front of each household and the deity is offered 'Bhog'. The daily rounds of the deity for the four days are called "Chachery". On the final day of the Purnima the celebration culminates in a swing-festival for the deities. The idols carried in Veemanas from a number of villages assemble in an important place where swings are fixed on a platform. They are made to swing to the accompaniment of devotional music sung in chorus.

In olden days the beginning of the New Year was calculated from the spring-season. After the swinging festival of the deities, the 'Ganaka' or 'Jyothisha' (astronomer-cum-fortune teller) reads out the new Oriya almanac and narrates the important events that are to take place during the year. For this reason, some are of opinion that this festival is purely to celebrate the New Year.

Celebration of Dola Purnima :-

The procession is led by village drummers, pipers and the ‘Sankirtana Mandalis’. The procession halts in front of each household and the deity is offered ‘Bhog’. The daily rounds of the deity for the four days are called “Chachery”. On the final day of the Purnima the celebration culminates in a swing-festival for the deities. The idols carried in Veemanas from a number of villages assemble in an important place where swings are fixed on a platform. They are made to swing to the accompaniment of devotional music sung in chorus.

Mendhapodi:-

In some places the burning of the straw hut is known as "Mendhapodi" or the burning of a ram. A legend attached to it says that a demon known as 'Mesha' was causing terror in the Heaven and Earth, Gods as well as human beings prayed Krishna to rescue them from his atrocities. Krishna killed and burnt him to ashes. It is, therefore to reminiscent this event that a hut is burnt which represents the abode of the demon.

Holi Fairs:-

 In many places of the State big fairs are arranged where idols of the deity are assembled. These fairs are called "Melana". The Veemanas of the surrounding villages are placed in a row for public view. Keen competition is observed in the decoration of the Veemanas. When all the expected Veemanas reach the place, display of fire-works takes place and this is watched by thousands of enthusiastic crowd.
 In the fairs agricultural implements, commodities, household articles and furniture are bought and sold. Such Melanas or fairs continue till the month of Chaitra in different places of the district of Cuttack, Puri and Ganjam

Significance of Phalguna masam

                                               Phalguna Masam

Phalguna or Phālguna is a month of the Hindu calendar. In India’s national civil calendar, Phalguna is the twelfth month of the year, and corresponds with February/March in the Gregorian calendar.In Luni-Solar religious calendars, Phalgun may begin on either the new moon or the full moon around the same time of year, and is usually the eleventh or twelfth month of the year. However, in Gujarat, Kartika is the first month of the year, and so Phalguna follows as the fifth month for Gujaratis.The holidays of Holi (15 Phalguna) and Maha Shivaratri (14 Phalguna) are observed in this monthIn solar religious calendars, Phalguna begins with the Sun’s entry into Aquarius, and is usually the eleventh month of the year.In the Vaishnava calendar, Govinda governs this month.Hindu saint Raghavendra Swami was born on Phalgun Sukla Navami in 1595 AD who advocated Madhvacharya’s Dvaita philosophy.Most parts of North India see early celebration of the famous Hindu festival Holi in this month. Holi is celebrated at the end of the winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar month Phalguna (Phalguna Purnima), which usually falls in the later part of February or March.The Hindu festival of Shigmo is also celebrated in Goa and Konkan in the month of Phalguna. Celebrations can stretch over a month and may last even after the Hindu Luni-Solar New Year begins. Another popular fair is Phalguna Mela in Khatushyamji in Rasjasthan.

Lord Vishnu Named As Govinda:-

Lord Vishnu in the name of Sri Govinda is the presiding Deity (Masa Niyamaka) governing the month of Phalguna masam.  Govinda is a very popular name of Lord Sri Vishnu which we find commonly being chanted by one and all. In 24 Kesava Namas we find Govindaya Namaha as the fourth one which we recite while performing Aachamanam and also we recite Sri Govinda, Govinda while performing Sankalpa. The name Govinda also popularly figures in Sri Vishnu, Naamathraya Japam viz. Achyutaya Namaha, Ananthaaya Namaha and Govindaaya Namaha. We find a reference to the word Govinda in Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Stothram in sloka number 20 & 58 as follows


Maheshvaso mahibharta shrinivasah satam gatih

Aniruddhah suranando govindo govidam patih


Mahavaraho govindah sushenah kanakangadi

Guhyo gabhiro gahano guptas chakra-gadadharah


Govinda means the One who is the Lord of Cows, protector of Cows, the one who has lifted the hill called Goverdhanagiri with His little finger to save and protect the Cows and Cowherds, also the one who is the protector of Earth. Go also means Vedas. One who is the protector of Vedas and who is eulogized by Vedas.

Go means Cow and Vinda means one who helps to survive or surmount. Go+Vinda = Govinda means the One who helps us to survive and surmount the earthly existence and reach Supreme realization of the Self. Lord Sri Krishna is popularly known and called as Govinda and who is also called as Gopala the protector of cows. We also find Lord Sri Venkateshwara popularly being referred to as Govinda and devotees chanting Govinda-Govinda when they visit Tirumala Kshetra.

Vratams In Phalguna Masam:-

Payo Vratam:-

According to our Purana’s, from Sukla Padyami to Dwadasi, first 12 days pooja should be done to Lakshmi sametha Narayana(Lord Vishnu along with goddess Lakshmi Devi). These twelve days resemble 12 months. Doing pooja in these 12 days is equivalent of praying Lord Vishnu throughout the year. It is called as “PAYO VRATHAM”. Only milk should be taken as food after offering milk as Nivedhyam to god. Donating cow (Godanam), clothes, money is very auspicious in this month.

When King Bali (Bali Chakravarthi) and his followers invaded Swarga Loka, dethroned Indra and other Demi-Gods and captured all their wealth, Aditi the Divine Mother of Demi-Gods and wife of Sage Kashyapa got highly distressed with the plight of her sons. Aggrieved with her sons’ condition she prayed to her husband Sage Kashyapa to suggest the way to make her sons reoccupy their respective positions in the Heaven. Moved by the Aditi’s request, Sage Kashyapa suggested her to worship Lord Sri ManNarayana by performing an austerity known as Payo Vratha and explained its rules and regulations. 


According to its principles one has to perform with proper sankalpa this austerity for twelve days, starting from Sukla Paadyami and ending with Dwadasi. During this period one should perform Sri Vishnu Aaradhana by worshiping Him daily with shodasa upachaara pooja and feeding poor and Brahmins as much as possible and subsisting only on Milk. One is required to perform this austerity with total faith and devotion towards Lord Vishnu, strictly observing celibacy, taking bath thrice a day, sleeping on floor etc.  At the end of the vratha one should perform a homa/yagna, feed Brahmins, and give charity.  Since this Vratha is ought to yield far reaching results and fulfills all desires it is also known as Sarva Yagna.


Aditi then performed Payovratha strictly adhering to its rules resulting in Lord Sri ManNarayana appearing before her and assuring her that her wish would get fulfilled and that He would take birth as her son. Accordingly, Lord Sri Maha Vishnu took the incarnation of Lord Vaamana and fulfilled Aditi’s desires. We find a reference to Payovratha in Ashtama Skhanda (8th Canto) of SriMad Bhagavatham in the episode of Sri Vaamana Avathara. This Vratha is performed during Phalguna masam. This austerity is suggested as one of the Divine remedies for lack of progeny.


Ganesh Vratam:-

Main god to be worshipped in this month is DUNDI VINAYAKA IN KASI. Dundi Vinayaka is also found in Draksharamam. Dundi Vinayaka is worshipped in two separate days of this month
1. AVIGNA VRATHAM on  Sukla Padyami to remove all obstacles.
2. PUTRA GANAPATHI VRATHAM on Sukla Chathurthi for children.


Amalaki Ekadasi:-

Amalaki Ekadasi occurs on the 11 th day of Phalguna month(Sukla Ekadasi). On this day we should pray Amalaki(Amla tree) And donate amla. Vasista Muni said in BRAHMANDA PURANA that those who faithfully observes a fasting on  this  Ekadasi, obtains enormous wealth, gets free from all kinds of sins and attain Liberation. Fasting on this Ekadasi is more purifying than donating 1000 cows in charity to a pure Brahmin. In Orissa this Ekadasi is known as SABARMMAT EKADASI and special prayers are held in Lord Vishnu and Jagannath temples. Further more, if this Ekadasi falls on Thursday it is regarded as even more auspicious. Purana’s also insist to eat amla. Amla tree is given importance in this month as amla tree flowers 6 months before from now and it will attain all its medical values fully by this month and are ready to eat. Amla fruit is one of the richest natural sources of Vitamin C, its fresh juice contains nearly 20 times as much vitamin c as Orange juice. It is an ingredient of many Ayurvedic medicines and tonics.



Govinda Dwadasi :-

Govinda Dwadasi is celebrated on the next day of Amalaki Ekadasi i.e on Sukla Dwadasi.
On this day we have to pray Lord Vishnu take bath in river Ganga. If not possible to take bath in Ganga River we can go to the nearest river available. It is believed that by doing so we get good health.



Dola Purnima(Holi):-

Dola Purnima is also called as MAHA PHALGUNI, HOLIKA PURNIMA. On this Purnima, Lakshmi Narayana pooja is done on this day and Unjal Seva(Swing festival) is done, so it is called as Dolika Purnima. It is one of the popular festivals in Orissa. On this day, there will be burning of demon Holika, which is called as HOLIPADA. Playing of Holi takes place on the next day and is primarily celebrated as the victory of good over evil. In Tamilnadu this Purnima is called as Phanguni this Purnima is treated as the marriage day of Madura Meenakshi and Sundareswara swamy.  KALYANA VRATHAM is done in all temples. It is called as KALYANA PURNIMA.

Full Moon day in Phalguna masam is celebrated as Holi festival.  If that day is associated with Uttara Phalguni star it is said to be highly meritorious for worshiping Goddess Sri Maha Lakshmi. Holi is also known as colour festival which is celebrated with great fanfare by Hindus as well as Sikhs sprinkling colours/colour water on each other. In South India it is known as Kama-Dahana. We find people lighting a bonfire in commemoration of Manmatha (Kamadeva) the Lord of passion, getting burnt to the furious gaze of Lord Shiva when He was disturbed from His meditation. This tradition of lighting a bonfire carries a message to mark the burning of our Arishadvargas (Negative passions). This festival of colours has socio-cultural and religious significance which is participated by one and all irrespective of their caste and creed.

Bahula Astami:-

BAHULA ASTAMI is treated as the birth day of goddess Sita Devi. Janka Maha raja found Sita Devi on this day.


Amavasya:-

This is the last day of the year, so it is called as Kotha Amavasya in ANDRAPRADESH. Kotha means new in Telugu. It is believed that leaving Tarpana to ancestors on this day is good.

Phalgu River:-

Phalgu is the name of a holy river on the banks of which the sacred Gaya Kshethra is located in Bihar. Two streams Lilajan (Niranjara) and Mohana originating from a hill called Korambe Pahar about 75km south of Gaya meet together to form the river Phalgu at Gaya.  It is a tributary of river Ganges and most of the time it remains dry due to a curse given by Goddess Sita Devi. 


The river is also referred to as Gupta Ganga because most of the year its bed usually appears dry but if you scoop with your hand you will at once come to clear water. It is believed that water in the river acts as a healer that drive away and cure all illness.


It is said that Agni Purana has explained river Phalgu as a combination of Phala (merit) + Gau (wish fulfilling Cow - Kamadhenu) and its etymology implies that the river manifests the highest power of piouness added with merit. As per Vaayu Purana it is said that the river Phalgu is considered superior to river Ganges (Ganga) since it is the liquid form of Lord Vishnu whereas Ganga (Ganges) has originated from the foot of Lord Vishnu.


Other Personalities/Events Associated with Phalguna Maasam:-



In Mahabharatha epic, we find Arjuna being referred to by several names and one such name is Phalguna.  It is said that Arjuna was born during Phalguna masam in the constellation of Uttara Phalguni.


Renowned Madhva Saint, philosopher, Guru Saarvabhouma, Sri Raaghavendra Swamy (Sri Raayaru) of Mantralayam was born during Phalguna masam on the seventh lunar day (Sukla Sapthami) that is celebrated as Guru Saarvabhoumara Jayanthi. In fact Sri Raayaru took his Sanyasa Deeksha in the month of Phalguna masam only. 


We also find during Phalguna masam Aaradhana of other Great Madhva Saints viz. Sri Sudheendra Theertharu (Vidya Guru of Sri Raghavendra Swamy), Sri Vaadiraaja Theertharu (Sodhe) and Sri Vyasarajaru (Anegondi).


Teppotsavam (Tirumala):-

Famous Boat festival or Float festival known as Teppotsavam is held at Tirumala Sri Swamy Pushkarini Theertham during Phalguna masam.  This is held for five days during Sukla paksha starting from Dasami and ending with Pournami thithi. During the five day festival, first two days Lord Sri Rama and Lord Sri Krishna along with their consorts are taken out in procession on a decorated boat in Swamy Pushkarini theertham. Last three days Lord Malayappa Swamy (Lord Venkateshwara) is taken out in procession along with His consorts. This float festival attracts thousands of devotees coming from across the country.

Charities during Phalguna maasam:-


During Phalguna masam, Go-dhana (giving Cow as charity) along with its maintenance, Vasthra dana are prescribed. 

Phala + Guna = Phalguna. Phala means merits and Guna means qualities and Phalguna masam is a highly auspicious month that is full of meritorious qualities.




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