How do Assamese people celebrate Holi?

Assam's way of celebrating Holi is very unique, especially in the Barpetra Satra of Barpeta district.Photo courtesy YouTube.

Assam's way of celebrating Holi is very unique, especially in the Barpetra Satra of Barpeta district. Satra is a monastery. Some say it is Krishna and Rukmini's engagement ceremony that's being celebrated. While others say, the festivities are about a domestic spat between Krishna and his wife Lakhmmi about another wife, Ghunucha.The festival spans almost a week, and this year it began on 28th of February and will go on till 4th of March.

It is called the Doul Utsav or Deul, in the local dialect. Among the many wives that Krishna has, fakua or holi revolves around the stories of his two wives, Lakshmi and Ghunucha. As the legend goes, Krishna, known here as Kalia Thakur, was already married to Lakshmi when he also promised to marry Ghunucha, the daughter of Indradinna.

What is the Satra history?

Among the many wives that Krishna has, fakua or holi revolves around the stories of his two wives, Lakshmi and Ghunucha.Photo courtesy YouTube.

It was Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva's most trusted disciple Madhavdev who established the Barpeta Satra in 1583 AD. Shree Shree Mathura Das Burah Ata took charge as the Burah Satriya (Chief Monk) of Barpeta Satra in 1595 AD. And in 1596 AD, he started Doulotshav within the Satra precincts.

What is Doul Utsav?

Deul celebrated in the month of Phalgun is called Deka Deul.Photo courtesy YouTube

Deul celebrated in the month of Phalgun is called Deka Deul.The first day of the Deul is called Gandha or Bahnutsav, which means the 'festival of bonfires', or as people commonly understand, Holika Dahan. It starts with a Namprasanga (or kirtan) in the morning. The idols of the Satra - Dol-Gobinda and Kaliya Thakur, are immaculately dressed with new costumes and ornaments, and brought out from the Monikut (inner sanctum) to the courtyard. Devotees celebrate the occasion by playing the khol, a musical instrument, and by lighting locally made fire-crackers.

The second day of Deul is known as Bhor-Deul. Bhor DeulB is celebrated for two to three days in the month of Phalgun. The idols are coloured with faku (colours) on this day. On this day, Mahaprabhu returns from Kanara Satra. As Lord Krishna is not permitted to come in by Lakshmi after his return from the house of Ghunucha, people take up sides. Krishna or the idol of Krishna is prevented from entering the Satra premises by the Vaishnavas with four bamboos in front of Kirtan Ghar. These four bamboos are divided among three haties-uttarhati-two bamboos, nahati-one bamboo and dakhinhati-bamboo.

Krishna or the idol of Krishna is prevented from entering the Satra premises by the Vaishnavas with four bamboos in front of Kirtan Ghar. Photo Courtesy YouTube

After breaking these four bamboos Mahaprabhu walks around kirtan ghar seven times. Thus, after seven days with Ghunucha, Lord Krishna returns to Lakshmi. Lakshmi defeats Lord Krishna and after being defeat by Lakshmi Lord Krishna gives Rs 300 and then is admitted into Kirtanghar. Like this, the bhaktas of mahaprabhu fine him of Rs 300 and brings Kalia Thakur to Bhaj Ghar.

The last day of the Deul is called Suweri or Fakuwa.Photo Courtesy YouTube

The last day of the Deul is called Suweri or Fakuwa. On this special day, the idol of Ghunucha also makes an appearance from the nearby Baradi Satra, and gets to meet Dol-Gobinda and Kaliya Thakur. Devotees of every age and gender, irrespective of caste, creed and community celebrate with a spontaneous expression of joy by playing with coloured powder and singing Holi songs.Written in a religious lyrical style, the Holi songs generally focus on the natural beauty of the Spring season, while at the same time, it also depicts the legend of Radha-Krishna, and their enduring love.