Essence of Doul Festival at Barpeta Satra

 

The Holi festival is a famous festival of India. Apart from the rest of the country, it is also a colorfully celebrated by the people of Assam specially, it is a stupendous occasion for the people of Barpeta. Barpeta is one of the most beautiful district of Assam which is also known as Satra Nagari as there are many ancient Vaishnavite Satras during the festival, the hearts of Barpeta are overwhelmed with devotion and festivity, and they forget their sorrows and agonies and celebrated this festival with cheerfully and enthusiastically.

Doul festival is also known as Holi in the month of Phagun when the Mother Nature is fully grown, the world started change into different one and this sweet moment when the Doul festival is celebrated.

At Barpeta, Mathura Das Bura Ata first celebrated Doul festival in the style of Baikuntha (Heaven) since then it has been celebrated traditionally (Satriya Parampara) till today. In Barpeta, Doul festival is celebrated three to five days. The three days Doul is called Bura Doul, and five days Doul is called Deka Doul. The five days Doul is held in the month of Phagun Purnima (Full Moon) and three days Doul is held in the month of Chot Purnima.

The first day is called Gandha, in the evening, Mahaprabhu Kaliya Thakur brought out from the Manikut (the main prayer room) to the Mathar Chotal (courtyard) with holy dance and songs. Then Mahaprabhu is brought to take seven rounds around the Meji, then Mahaprabhu is brought to Jagmohan ghar after Meji Puoa, and at night, Mahaprabhu is brought to Doul ghor walking around the seven steps. The people sing Holi Geets with great enthusiasm.

The second day is called Ghar Doul. In this day, the Vaishnavas have Naam Prasanga at Jagmohan Ghar. Beside the regular rites, drummer and musician perform Bhaona (a traditional theatrical performance).

In the last day of the Doul is called Suweri or Fakua, when the Koliya Thakur is supposed to come back from the house of Ghunusa to the house of Lakshmi. At the same time, another party of devotees carrying their own Dola from Baradi (another Vaishnava Satra) arrives at Barpeta. The God is carried in a procession by all the people to Kanariya, a place where some half miles away from Barpeta Satra. At Kanaria, the God made to step out of the Palki and given a kind of green pulse to eat which is called Hekta Khoa  Parba (eating custom). After that, He is taken back to Barpeta, but He find that the gate of the Kirtan Ghar is closed to Him with a strong Bamboo, because He was away for all these days at Ghunusa’s place, mother Lakshmi is angry with Him. His followers back Her pardon on His behalf, but to know in vain. The bamboo is broken by His followers and He is carried inside the compound around which He goes seven times. He take a rest for a while as He feel tireness. In the end, He admits defeat like a peace loving husband and their end great Doul festival.

The impact of this festival has been seen in each and every part of Barpeta. The divine atmosphere is felt in the Satra Nagari is felt by each individual. Hence there is no doubt that the rich cultural heritage of Barpeta Doul Utsav is far granted by all individual.

Holi geets are performed on all these days. Holi geets are sang in praising of Lorn Krishna, which portrays the devotion and dedication.

Essence of Doul Festival at Barpeta Satra

Holi, a festival of color is celebrated in the first Full Moon in spring season in India. Besides being a festival of color, Holi (as the name itself) is associated with fertility, love, devotion as well as triumph of good over evil. The beauty of this Holi festival is that different cities and states of India have their unique traditions and ways of celebration. Assam too is no different in upholding its unique way of celebration. 

Barpeta is one of the most beautiful district of Assam which is also known as Satra Nagari as there are many ancient Vaishnavite Satras. Holi (also known as Doul) Utsav (festival) is celebrated in the month of Phagun (mostly mid-February to mid-March) when the Mother Nature is fully grown, the world starts to change into fresh color. In Doul, the soul of Barpeta leave behind all the negativities and rejoice with joy and enthusiasm. Holi geets (songs) are performed on all these days and are sang in praising of Lord Krishna, which portrays the devotion and dedication.

Types of Doul Utsav

At Barpeta, Mathura Das Bura Ata (an early follower of Shri Shankardev) had first celebrated Doul festival in the style of Baikuntha (Heaven), and since then it has been celebrated in the same tradition (Satriya Parampara) till today. In Barpeta, Doul festival is celebrated in three to five days. The three days Doul is called Bura Doul, and five days Doul is called Deka Doul. The five days Doul is held in the month of Phagun Purnima (Full Moon) and three days Doul is held in the month of Chot (mostly mid-March to mid-April) Purnima.

The First Day

The first day of each Doul is called Gandha. In the evening, idol of Lord Krishna (Mahaprabhu Kaliya Thakur) is brought out from the Manikut (the main prayer room) to the courtyard (Mathar Chotal) with Holi dance and songs. Then Lord Krishna is brought out to revolve around the Meji (a cylindrical bonfire) for seven times and then the Lord is brought to Jagmohan Ghar (a separate holy place in the Satra), and at night, the Lord is brought to Doul Ghar (another holy place in the Satra). The people sing traditional Holi songs with great enthusiasm.

The Second Day

The second day is called Ghar Doul. In this day, the devotees (Vaishnavas) perform devotional rituals at Jagmohan Ghar. Beside the regular rites, drummer and musician perform Bhaona (a traditional theatrical play performance). In both kind of Douls, the same rituals are repeated for the remaining days.

The Last Day

The last day of the Doul is called Fakua (or Suweri), when Lord Krishna is supposed to come back from the house of Ghunusa (one beautiful lady in Lord Krishna’s era) to the house of Lakshmi at Kirtan Ghar (at Barpeta Satra).  The God is carried in a procession by all the people to Kanariya (a place where near to Barpeta Satra). At the same time, another group of devotees carry their own palanquin from Baradi Satra (another Vaishnava Satra) arrives at Barpeta. At Kanaria, the God made to step out of the Palanquin and given a kind of green pulse to eat (a custom known as Hekta Khoa Parba). However, when the Lord is carried back to Barpeta, the gate of the Kirtan Ghar is found closed to Him with strong four Bamboos as Goddess Lakshmi becomes angry with Lord Krishna for the Lord staying away at Ghunusa’s place for such a long time. In a customary practice, Lord Krishna’s follower’s tries to convince Godess Lakshmi but all goes in vein. Finally, the followers of Krishna breaks away the bamboos and makes the Lord Krishna revolve around compound seven times and accepts the defeat as a peace loving husband and hence ends the Doul Utsav. This is the day, when people plays with colors.

A Celebration of Devotion

The impact of this festival has been seen in each and every part of Barpeta. The divine atmosphere in the Satra Nagari is felt by each individual. Hence there is no doubt that the rich cultural heritage of Barpeta Doul Utsav is far granted by each and every one.

It is remarkable to note that the traditional Doul Utsav at Barpeta has maintained its customary celebration methods and remained untouched by the changing attitude of time. Further, if anyone is not willing, then nobody forces or throw colors upon them and women are treated with utmost respect. If you wish to experience devotion, Barpeta is an eminent and must visit place.