Devotees Throng Puri Jagannath Temple As Six-Day Dola Utsav Begins

Puri: Dola Utsav, the six-day Holi celebration, began with traditional rituals in Jagannath temple of Odisha’s Puri on Tuesday.

The festival starts on “Phagu Dashami”, the tenth day of Phalguna month in Odia calendar, and ends on the day of Holi. As per practice, the rituals for the festival began with Madhyanha Dhupa and Mailama on the day.

During the six days, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra are dressed up in a special attire for the “Chacheri Besha”. The sibling deities are adorned with gold jewellery for the occasion. They are also offered a special Chachari Bhog all the six days.

After getting the ‘Agyanmala’ (permission from the Lord), the moving idols of Dolagobinda representing Lord Jagannath along with Devi Lakshmi and Devi Saraswati will be taken in a procession to “Dola Bedi” at Shri Jagannath Ballav mutt where special rituals will be performed. The deities will be placed in a swing and worshipped.

As lakhs of devotees from across the state visit the temple to have a darshan of the deities during the Dola Utsav, the temple administration held the Chhatisa Niyoga meeting on Monday to plan the arrangement.

“The temple doors will be opened at 3 am on Sunday and Monday. Keeping the rising temperature and heat in view, arrangements are being made for adequate drinking water facilities and shades at the Badadanda (Grand Road),” informed additional chief temple administrator Samarth Verma.