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Shri Shri Doul Govinda Temple

An Official Site of Shri Shri Doul Govinda Administration

Festivals & Celebrations

Held In

Festival

1. April(13/14)

Holy bath in the river Brahmaputra by the devotees on the 1st day of Assamese month-"Bohaga" and nam-kritan at Temple premises.

2. April/ May

"Pratistha Divas" on the tithi of "Akhya Tritia" in the month of Bohaga. Though it has legacy of almost 200 years, the main new "Manikut" sanctum sanctorum was opened for pilgrimage on 1970 in the month of Bohaga on "Akhya Tritia". Since then this day is observed as "Pratistha Divas" with Hom-Yoga and Naam Prasanga. In the evening, "Bhagabat-path" is another attraction of the day. Learned spritual person explains the various aspect of sprituality through the help of "Bhagabat Purana".

3. Sep/ Oct

Shri Shri Krishna Janmastami is celebrated with great reverence in the month of (Bhadra) in the Mandir premises. This annual celebration draws a large number of devotees. Local residents remain awake almost all the night to attend the Puja and Hom-Janjya, singing devotional songs in praise of Lord Vishnu.

4. Sep/ Oct

"Tirobhab Tithi"(Death Anniversary) of Sankardeva and Madhabdeva As the very basis of Doul Govinda temple is Krishna culture perfomed by the great Baishnava Saints. Sri Sri Sankardeva and Sri Sri Madhabdeva the "Tirobhab Tithi" of both the Mahapurusha is observed with Naam Prasangha and lively disscussion on the rich contributions , they have made to our socity in the shape of religion and culture.

5. Sep/ Oct

Kati Bihu is celebrated on the tithi of "Sankranti" of Aahina and kartika. "Akash-Banti" is offered to Lord Bishnu with Puja and Nam-Kirtana in the evening

6. Sep/ Oct

Another auspicious day is the full-moon night in the month of Magha (Maghi Purnima) which in some years falls in the month of Falguna also. Several thousands of devotees gather on this day turning the Mandir campus a sea of men-women and children.

Despite huge number, all devotees conduct themselves with discipline until late hours in the afternoon. Bhoga is cooked in quintals on this sacred day for the devotees of whom many pool their might for the purpose, the devotees come here to pray to Lord Doul Govinda for fulfilment of their desire, which Mahaprabhu Doul Govinda grants.

Doulutsav or Holi(Main festival of the mandir)

Spring brings new life to Nature and the surrounding gets festive mood. This liveliness is reflected in the Holi-festival observed all over India. This is the festival of colour and various type of, colour is smeared at each other. As per mythology to show that Lord himself made fun with his women friends-the Gopies going to the house of his another spouse Ghunusha Devi to live with the period lingering to five days which fact enraged Lord's consort Goddess Laxmi and she engages her devotees to put a barricade on Lord's way back home.

This festival is celebrated with well-programmed rituals and merry-making in the campus of Sri Sri Doul Govinda Mandir at Rajadooar. The agenda begins with the Mesh-Dah ritual on the previous evening of the full-moon night of the month of Falgun, occasionally the month of Choitra. The Mesh-Dah ritual is observed in the bank of river Brahmaputra and symbolically represents killing of meghasura.The image of Lord Doul Govinda is then placed on a throne inside the Doul which is a separate altar at a little distance. Lord's image is kept there for five days, during which period, large number of devotees come to offer, Abir or Faku powder, made for the occasion. This is not exactly vermilion, but looks like that, but a bit pinkish. The routine Puja-Archana combined with Homa-Janjya are performed at the Doul on these days. The campus becomes a place of merry-making with singing devotional songs, Nam- Kirtan, Oza pali performance. All the nights are kept allotted for Bhawana i.e., a classical form of Assamese Dance-drama performance and such parties are invited from outside also on these days besides the local groups. On the last day of the festival, Lord Doul Govinda is taken out for Parikrama (going round) symbolising return from the house of Devi (ghunusha). The procession is a grand one with band party beating of Dhols and Khols (local drums) and groups singing Holi-songs, dancing with Faku powder smeared all over the body and clothes and throwing of such powder to the sky. Residents of both sex, young, old and children-join the procession people offer obesiance to Lord Doul Govinda kneeling down and bowing head placing a Sarai with Gamocha on a piece of plantain leave and lighting earthen lamp when the procession passes by the frontage of their houses. The procession proceeds westward to the place of the Dehing Satra about 5 kilometers away from the Mandir premises and return there from after being received with due reverence. When the procession comes back to the Mandir campus, a barricade is put blocking the Lord's way into the sanctum symbolising (Ghunusa Jatra) the enragement of goddess Laxmi. But the barricade is overpowered by the Lord's devotees and Lord Doul Govinda is placed on the throne at the sanctum.

This is what in nutshell the story of the Doul festival observed at Shri Shri Doul Govinda Mandir at Rajadooar.

Feb/ March

Doulutsav(Holi), the festival of colour is celebrated with five days colourful programme.