Thousands of devotees throng Batadrava Than for Doul Utsav

From a Correspondent

Batadrava, March 13:   Lakhs of devotees thronged Batadrava Than, the birthplace of Saint Srimanta Sankarkardev, on Sunday and Monday to mark the great Doul Utsav, the festival of colours.

Like the past years, this year the festival was celebrated with a five-day long religious and colourful programme. The festival began with Taal kububua prasang and manjira at dawn on March 11 followed by Aaisokolor am, khol prasang and bhakatar am prasanga. In the evening, Gandha Utsav observed where the statue of lord Krish was brought out of the Manikut by Gayan Bayan, given a holy bath and placed at Rabha tol. The Gayan Bayan also performed Ram dhemali on the auspicious occasion.

On the second day on Sunday, the Gosain Murot phaku diya  Utsav was celebrated with religious tradition. In the evening, a cultural function was also held which was iugurated by Dr. ren Kalita, well-known researcher. The programme was also attended by former Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, former MP-cum-litterateur Dr. Jayashree Goswami Mahanta and many other dignitaries. A souvenir titled Doul was also released in the programme.

On the occasion of Doul Utsav on Monday, the Gosai Phurua Utsav was celebrated. A colourful cultural procession was taken out exhibiting the folk culture of different tribes with performance of Xattriya dance. Over 10,000 devotees participated in the procession irrespective of caste and creed. The procession was led by Jardan Devgoswami, Xatradhikkar of Uttar Kamalabari Xatra, Majuli, Devanda Devgoswami, Xatradhikkar of Sri Sri ruwa Xatra, Brajen Kakati and Indramohan Baruah.

As per schedule, on March 14 and March 15 various cultural programmes like Dihaam, Vattriya dance and staging of bhao will be held.

  Union Minister of State of Railways, Rajen Gohain, State Water Resources minister Keshab Mahanta, legislators Mril Saikia and Angoorlata Deka also visited Batadrava Than on the occasion of Doul Utsav and offered prayers.