Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday extended his greetings to the people of Odisha on the occasion of Dola Purnima and prayed for the abundant grace and blessings of Lord Dolagobinda fill the lives of all with happiness and prosperity.
Dola Purnima or Holi falls on the full-moon day in the month of Phalguna (March). This festival has been referred to in Puranic texts as Basantotsaba or the spring festival and is observed to celebrate the arrival of spring.
Some scriptures state 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.” 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 Odisha. It starts from the tenth day of the bright fortnight of the month of Falguna (Feb-March) known as Fagu ‘Dasami’.
Smearing the heads with Abira (a red-coloured powder) the people take round the idols of Madanamohana in richly decorated palanquins known as Vimana. The procession is led by village drummers, pipers, and the Sankirtana Mandalis.
