Bhubaneswar, Jan 17: This year on Jan 26 which is celebrated as the Republic Day and a Republic Day parade is also conducted, Odisha will be showcasing Dola Yatra in its tableau in the parade in New Delhi. The tableau design after the approval by a 16-member selection committee of the Ministry of Defence has been selected at the national level. The design is sponsored by the State I&PR department. A team of artisans namely Gajendra Sahu, Chhatrapati Biswal and Baladeba Maharatha of Bibhuti Kanungo College of Arts and Crafts, Bhubaneswar and Pradyumna Dash, senior designer of State I&PR department have designed the tableau. The front part of the tableau displays symbolic worship of Lord Krishna in a swing. The rear portion of the tableau presents people in a procession carrying the Bimana and worshipping Lord Krishna. The devotees move in a procession enjoying the music of traditional instruments like Ghanta, Mrudanga, Manjira, etc. As a symmetrical fashion, a group of people playing with traditional musical instruments accompany the procession on the ground on both sides of the tableau. The intrinsic idea of this projection succinctly conveys the message of universal brotherhood and peaceful coexistence.
Dola Yatra is a famous festival celebrated in Odisha. This festival signifies the journey of Goddess Radha and Lord Krishna for ultimate union in the tradition of Bhakti cult. The Yatra coincides with the Holi festival that takes place on Falguna Dashami before full moon day in the midst of February-March. Worshiping of Goddess Radha and Lord Krishna is taken as the crucial event during this six-day long festival. On Falguna Dashami, the idols of village deities, especially that of Lord Krishna are taken on a small decorated wooden temple called Bimana in a procession to all houses in the village. The procession of people, smeared with Abira (violet coloured powder), move from one house to another while rejoicing and dancing with the traditional music and songs. In the Bimana, the God comes to the door-step and gives darshan. The villagers offer Bhog to the deity and receive powdered colours for the Holi festival that takes place next day. This Dola Jatra, thus, has a direct bearing on the unique festival of Holi in which people irrespective of caste, creed and religion come together and celebrate the occasion with all joy and gaiety.
