Doul Utsav, also called Phakuwa or Deul, is Assam's Holi, on the full moon of Phagun. Its home is Barpeta Satra, the Vaishnava monastery founded in the sixteenth century, where it lasts three to five days. On the first evening a fire of reeds is lit; then the image of Doul Govinda is carried out to the sound of drums and cymbals, and the town plays with phaku, coloured powder, while singing the Holi geet.
The story
The festival was begun at Barpeta by Mathura Das Burha Ata, the first head of the satra. Its last day enacts a domestic quarrel: Krishna, returning from his outing, finds that Lakshmi has barred the door, and is let in only after paying a fine.
The Holi songs of Barpeta, composed over centuries, are a genre of their own and are sung by the whole town.
How it is kept
- Meji puwaOn the eve, a bonfire of reeds and bamboo.
- GondhThe first day, when the image is brought out.
- Bhor DoulThe middle day or days.
- PhakuwaThe last day, with the playing of colour and the procession.
- Holi geetSung in chorus to the khol and the big cymbals.
Why this date
Doul Utsav is centred on the full-moon tithi of Phagun, on the day it is present at sunrise; at Barpeta it runs for three to five days ending then.
Doul Utsav in other years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Tuesday | |
| 2027 | Monday | |
| 2028 | Saturday | |
| 2029 | Wednesday | |
| 2030 | Tuesday | |
| 2031 | Sunday |
More Assamese festivals
6 MarchMaha Shivaratriমহা শিৱৰাত্ৰি
14 AprilGoru Bihuগৰু বিহু
15 AprilBohag Bihuব'হাগ বিহু
11 FebruarySaraswati Pujaসৰস্বতী পূজা
15 AprilRam Navamiৰাম নৱমী
15 JanuaryMagh Bihuমাঘ বিহু
Where to see Doul Utsav
In Assam
- Barpeta SatraAssamThe home of the festival, with its great prayer hall.
- Batadrava Than, BordowaAssamThe birthplace of Sankardev, with a five-day Doul.
- Dakhinpat Satra, MajuliAssamOne of the royal satras of the island.
Across India
- SantiniketanWest BengalBasanta Utsav, in yellow, on the same full moon.
- ImphalManipurYaoshang, five days of sport and the Thabal Chongba dance.
- VrindavanUttar PradeshHoli in Krishna's own country, played for a week and more.