GAURIPUR, March 8 - The 130-year-old Doul Utsav of Coochbehar Royal Estate got under way today at the historic Madan Mohan Temple situated in the heart of Coochbehar town and established by Maharaja Nripendra Narayan in 1889 and inaugurated by Rajmata Nishimayee Devi in 1890.
The idol of Lord Krishna, popularly known as Madan Mohan, will be carried from the temple in a dola in a colourful procession to the Mela Maidan at Silver Jubilee Road. After performing religious rituals, the Bhelaghar will be ceremonially burnt.
On March 9, puja of the deity will be performed and bhog prasad will be distributed among the devotees. On the following day, dolas from the adjoining areas will assemble at the temple premises and subsequently proceed to the Mela Maidan with the brightly decorated dola of Lord Krishna.
The devotees chant Madan Mohan Ki Jai and sprinkle gulal on each other and return to the temple at night. Thousands of devotees usually participate in this annual event.
