Pomp, gaiety mark Dola Purnima fete

Bhubaneswar: People of the state were having a gala time as the much-awaited Dola Purnima was celebrated on Sunday.

In many places big fairs were arranged where idols of Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha were brought together. Such ‘melanas’ or fairs will continue till the month of ‘Chaitra’ in different places of Cuttack, Puri and Ganjam districts.

Dola Purnima or full-moon day is celebrated in the month of Falguna. Amid the procession of deities in ‘Vimana’ or palanquin and smear of ‘Abira’-a violet coloured powder, people enjoy the festival to the hilt in the nook and corner of the State.

Thousands of devotees have thronged to Puri to witness the special ‘Suna Besha’ of Lord Jagannath.

The merriment of the festivity is going to continue on Monday as well due to Holi. The festival of colours is primarily marked as a celebration of victory of good over evil. People smudge colours on everyone with merriment and fun at its best during Holi.