Puri, Feb 26: Phagu Dashami, observed on the 10th day of the bright fortnight of the holy month of Phalguna, marked the commencement of the six-day-long Dola Purnima festival at the Jagannath Temple on Thursday. The ritual falls six days prior to the full moon day (Purnima) of Phalguna, as per the traditional Odia calendar.

Popularly known as Dolayatra, Dola Purnima is Odisha’s version of the Holi festival and is celebrated across the State with religious fervour for more than ten days. The festival symbolises the eternal love of Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha. From Phagu Dashami till Dola Purnima, idols of Lord Krishna and Radha are placed on a decorated swing and worshipped with devotion in homes, temples and spiritual institutions.

At the Srimandir in Puri, special rituals commenced on the auspicious occasion. Following the completion of the ‘Madhyanha Dhupa’ ritual, the Holy Trinity underwent the sacred ‘Mailama’ ritual. Thereafter, the deities were adorned in special red attire as part of the ceremonial observances.

During the festival period, the deities will be dressed in the traditional ‘Chacheri Besha’ and offered ‘Chachari Bhog’ every day till Chaturdashi. The sibling deities will also be embellished with a variety of ornaments, adding to the spiritual grandeur of the occasion.

As per temple tradition, after receiving the ceremonial ‘Agyanmala’, the movable idols of Dolagobinda, representing Lord Jagannath, along with Devi Lakshmi and Devi Saraswati, will be taken out in a grand procession to the Dola Vedi at Shri Jagannath Ballav Matha. Special rituals will be performed there in adherence to age-old customs.

The concluding rituals of Dola Purnima will be observed at the temple on March 3. On the occasion, the sibling deities will be adorned in resplendent golden attire. Lakhs of devotees are expected to throng Puri to offer prayers and seek blessings during the grand celebration.