Vibrant Dola Purnima festivities took place at the Shri Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, marking the spring festival

PURI: Dola Purnima celebrations drew large crowds to the Shri Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha. The event took place on March 3, 2026, which is the full moon day of Phalguna month. Devotees gathered to take part in the traditional rituals at this famous temple.The festival is also known as Dola Yatra or Dol Utsav. It marks the arrival of spring and links to the divine pastimes of Radha and Krishna. At the Shri Jagannath Temple, Lord Jagannath is worshipped as Dola Govinda during this time.

Dola Purnima Rituals at Shri Jagannath Temple

Special rituals happened on Dola Purnima. The representative deity Dola Govinda, along with Sridevi and Bhudevi, was taken in a ceremonial procession. They moved to the Dola Bedi, a special swing platform outside the temple.Devotees offered abira, which are sacred colors, flowers, and other items. People sang kirtans and applied colors as part of the celebrations. The atmosphere filled with vibrant energy as thousands joined the event.

On this day, the deities were placed on a decorated palanquin called Bimana. They reached the Dola Vedi for swing rituals and special puja. Many devotees played with colors in a way similar to Holi.The Shri Jagannath Temple follows set traditions for Dola Purnima. The festival lasts for several days in some cases, but the main events focus on the full moon day. This year, a lunar eclipse also occurred around the same time, but regular rituals continued as planned.

Large numbers of devotees visited Puri for Dola Purnima celebrations. The event brings people from different parts of Odisha and beyond. Temple authorities manage crowds to keep the area safe during the rush.

People who plan to visit the Shri Jagannath Temple during such festivals should arrive early. They need to follow temple rules and respect the rituals. Security teams stay present to handle any crowd issues.Dola Purnima remains an important cultural and religious event in Odisha. It connects devotees to the traditions of the Shri Jagannath Temple. The festival highlights joy, devotion, and community spirit on this special day.

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