Three days Doul Mahotsava ends at Barpeta Xatra

A CORRESPONDENT

BARPETA: Barpeta Xatra, established by Mahapurush Sri Sri Madhabdeva, the great disciple of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva, turns colourful with colours (abir) during the 'Doul' festival with 'Holigeets' reverberating.

The devotees sang Holigeets. The 'Doul' festival was observed for three days this year. Today was the last day; and the main attraction of this day was 'Suweri' (fakuwa). The 'Doul Mahotsava' concluded after the entrance of Mahaprabhu Doul Govinda and Koliya Thakur in the 'Manikut Griha' in the evening,

Earlier on the second day when 'Bhor Doul' was observed, thousands of devotees came to Barpeta Xatra to visit the 'Gosain' at the 'Doul Griha'. At time, Mahaprabhu Doul Govinda and Koliya Thakur – both Gosains – were taken out of the Doul Griha and kept inside the 'Kirtan ghar' (main prayer hall).

Again on the day of suweri today, gayans-bayans, dhuliyas and devotees brought out the Gosains to 'Mothor Chotal'.

Showering 'Fakuguri' (abir), the devotees of 22 hatis (localities) of Barpeta and its nearby areas took the Koliya Thakur and Mahaprabhu Doul Govinda to the Kalbari Xatra to have 'heketa maah'. On returning from the 'Kalbati Xatra', the devotees arrived in front of main prayer hall and started the tradition of breaking bamboos. Among the four bamboos, one was broken by the devotees of Dakshinhati, one by Nahati and the remaining two were broken by the devotees of Uttarhati.

According to 'Ghunucha Kirtan', when Lord Krishna went to the residence of Ghunucha at Kalbari Xatra, Goddess Lakshmi was offended; and Lord Krishna was not permitted to enter the residence of Goddess Lakshmi. After breaking one by one bamboos, the devotees of Lord Krishna have to argue with the devotees of Goddess Lakshmi. That argument called 'Bolboloni' was held at 'Mothor Chotal'. The devotees of Lord Krishna were defeated and had to pay penalty for it.

The idols of both the Gosains were permitted to enter the 'Manikut Griha'.

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