BARPETA, March 5 - The Sri Sri Krishna Doul Mahotsava will be observed at historic Barpeta Satra with a four daylong programme from March 11 next. Preparations for this mega event is going on in full swing to be celebrated with full Sattriya rituals and traditions.
The first day of the Doul festival this year will be observed as Bahnutsava or Gondhjatra. After the daily afternoon prayer Doulgobinda will be brought out of the Manikut or the Bhajghar accompanied by Gayan Bayan through the eastern doors. Kaliyatgakur the Sri Krishna will be brought out in the same process but through the main gates of the Bhajghar. Both the Gods will be kept in the forecourt of the Matha. Both of them will be encircled for seven rounds around the Meji in the evening and then erected on the soul. Fireworks by the local artistes will be exhibited in that evening.
Bhardoul will be observed on March 12 and 13. Just after the regular morning rituals prasanga by both male and female devotees, recitation of Bhagawata, Bhojan Byabahar, Ghosha Kirtan and Byas Kirtan will be performed in Jagmohan Griha on both the days. Burha Sattriya of the Satra will offer prayer with Phaku on the first day of the Bhardoul which will be followed by other devotees during these two days.
The Fakuwa or the famous Suweri of Barpeta will be celebrated on March 14, the last day of the festival. The Doulgobinda and Kaliyagosai will be taken to Kalbari Satra about one and half km from Barpeta Satra in the afternoon that day. On their return to the satra, bamboo obstacles will be erected on the entrance and their access will be possible only after breaking it. In the meantime, Bolbolani a dramatised form of quarrel between Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Sri Krishna will be performed in the threshold of the Math�.
As per information provided by Mahananda Pathak, secretary of the Satra management committee, multifarious cultural programmes will be organised on all the four days of the Doul celebration. A State level Holi geet competition will be held from 4 pm on March 11. Local artistes in association with Sattriya Culture Training Centre of Barpeta Satra will perform Jumura in the evening that day.
Sangeet Natak Akademi Sattriya Kendra Guwahati will organise a special programme on the day of Fakuwa on March 14. A host of reputed artistes adept in Sattriya culture will also participate in the concluding function that day.
