‘Doul Jatra’: Festival colours find home in Barpeta

Guwahati: The historic town of Barpeta, land of the Satras, has been abuzz with vibrant colours and joyful revelry, celebrating ‘Doul Utsav', a four-day Holi festival, showcasing the region's rich cultural and religious heritage.With Barpeta Satra, a revered Vaishnavite monastery, being the epicentre of the festivities, thousands of devotees from across Assam and foreign shores have gathered since Thursday to witness the majestic procession of the ‘Doul Jatra'.Blending Hindu mythology with local folklore, the procession features traditional music with Holi songs. As part of the celebration, devotees carry decorated palanquins accompanied by traditional drumming and chanting.According to renowned cultural worker, Pramath Ranjan Kanti, the ‘Doul Utsav', introduced by Mahapurush Srimanta Shankardev at Borduwa, boasts a distinctiveness that sets it apart from other Holi celebration. "The duration of the ‘Doul Utsav' in Barpeta varies, spanning three to five days. The celebration is characterized by vibrant colours and is observed one or two days after the festivities in other regions. This year, the Doul Utsav unfolded over four days, with each day bearing significance." Kanti said."With influx of people from different parts of India, various musical influences have also emerged and to preserve the cultural heritage poet Ambikagiri Raichoudhury pioneered a new genre of music. Since the early 1900s, these songs have gained popularity among the people. Today, Holi songs are an essential part of the ‘Doul' celebrations," he added.On the first day, idols of ‘Doul Govinda' and ‘Kalia Gokhai' are brought out from the Manikut (sanctum sanctorum) to ‘mathar chatal' (courtyard), amidst songs and traditional music, with devotees singing ‘osto raag' ( Eight number of songs). Following this, the idols are carried in a procession and taken to the ‘tupor chatal' near the ‘Meji' (a sacred fire altar). In a symbolic ritual, the idols are taken around the Meji for seven times, before being finally enshrined in the ‘Doul', marking the beginning of the celebration.The next day, called ‘Bhar Doul', witnessed devotional singing by Vaisanavas. Also, ‘Dhuliya Nritya', a traditional dance was performed. The last day is called ‘Phakua' or ‘Suweri', where the idols are brought to ‘mathar chatal' and the people of Barpeta showers ‘phakuguri' (coloured powder).