Phagu Dashami Rituals At Odisha’s Puri Jagannath Temple Today Ahead of Holi

Puri: Special rituals are being performed at Shree Jagannath Temple in Odisha’s Puri on the occasion of Phalguna Sukla Dashami on Thursday.

Phagu Dashami, celebrated on the 10^th day of the bright fortnight of Phalguna, marks the beginning of the the week-long Dola Purnima festival. It is observed six days before the Purnima (full moon day) in Phalgun month as per traditional Odia calendar.

Dola Yatra is one of the 12 prominent festivals that are obesrved at the 12^th century shrine in this pilgrim town. On Phagu Dashami, the image of Dolagobinda representing Lord Jagannath along with Devi Lakshmi and Devi Saraswati will be taken in a procession to a dias called Dola Vedi at Shri Jagannath Ballav mutt where special rituals are performed.

The main attraction of the day happens to be a play with Phagu (coloured powder) between the three deities. As per belief, darshan of the sibling deities between Phagu Dashami and Dola Purnima is considered highly auspicious.

The deities at the Temple will be attired in ‘Chacheri Besha’ and they will be offered ‘Chachari Bhog’ till coming chaturdashi, while a variety of ornaments will adorn the siblings. Finally, Dola Purnima rituals will be performed in the Temple on March 7 when the sibling deities will be decorated with golden attire. Lakhs of devotees are likely to throng the shrine to offer obeisance to the deities on Dola Purnima.