Dolayatra

Hindu festival

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June 25, 2026

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Dolayatra, also known as Dol Jatra or Dol Purnima, is a Hindu festival celebrated in eastern India, particularly in West Bengal and Odisha. It is also referred to as the "Swing Festival". This festival is part of the broader Holi celebrations, which typically occur on the full moon day of Phalguna, falling in February or March.12

During Dolayatra, images of Radha and Krishna are placed on decorated platforms and swung. This is accompanied by songs sung specifically during the spring season. In some areas, these images are carried on palanquins. In Shantiniketan, it is known as Basanta Utsav (Spring Festival) and involves students and teachers applying colored powders, known as abeer, to each other, celebrating with music and cultural performances.1

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Holi
Regional variations
…Holi finds the form of Dolayatra (“Swing Festival,” also known as Dol Jatra or Dol Purnima). Images of Radha and Krishna are placed on decorated platforms and are swung to the accompaniment of cycles of songs sung only in the spring season. In some places, the images are carried on…
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…Holi finds the form of Dolayatra (“Swing Festival,” also known as Dol Jatra or Dol Purnima). Images of Radha and Krishna are placed on decorated platforms and are swung to the accompaniment of cycles of songs sung only in the spring season. In some places, the images are carried on…
Read More