Dolyatra, celebrated with great pomp and splendour in West Bengal, is like Holi, the festival of colours. Holi is celebrated in the northern parts of India to celebrate the onset of spring and mark the end of chilly winters. Holi and Dol Yatra may seem to be celebrated similarly because of the smearing of colors. However, the celebrations of Dolyatra in West Bengal are very different from those of Holi in other parts of India.

Dolyatra marks the last festival of the Bengali year calendar. It has been celebrated since ancient times to revel in the everlasting bond of love between Lord Krishna and his favorite Gopi, Radha. It is believed that Dolyatra was when Lord Krishna expressed his love for his beloved Radha.

Origin, History, Significance, and Traditions of Dolyatra

Dolyatra, also known as Doljatra, is a regional holiday in West Bengal. It is also known as Dol Purnima in Assam and Odisha. Dolyatra falls on the same day as Holi. The last full moon in the Hindu Calendar is celebrated as Holi. The legend that Dolyatra is based on differs from the legend believed in celebrating Holi. Holi is honored to welcome spring and mark Holika's death, the evil sister of Hiranyakashyap, who tried to kill his devout son Prahlad.

Dolyatra is based on the legend that it was this day when Lord Krishna expressed his undying love to Radha. Like in Holi, the colored powder is integral to the festivities. It is known as "phag" in West Bengal.

Phag is applied by following a ritual. It is used first as a reverence to the pictures of the deceased family members. Then it is applied to the feet of elders as a mark of respect. It becomes an open season to smear faces with colored powder after this.

Dolyatra is also known as the "Swing Festival." The idols of Lord Krishna and Radha are decorated and adorned. They are then placed on decorated chariots or palanquins (also illustrated) and swung from one end to the other. Women sing songs and bhajans, and the menfolk spray colored powder at the idols.

Dolyatra has another added significance to West Bengal and Bengalis as it marks the birthday of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was a 16th century Vaishnava saint. He was also a poet and regarded as Lord Krishna's incarnation.

When is Dolyatra Celebrated?

In 2025, Dolyatra will be celebrated on 14 March. Dolyatra falls on the same day as Holi in the Hindu calendar. Holi falls on the last full moon day of the Hindu calendar. It generally falls in March but sometimes falls at the end of February. Dolyatra is celebrated on the same day in West Bengal. Dol yatra 2025 was celebrated on 14 March 2025.

How is Dolyatra Celebrated and Where To Go?

Dairy products, including homemade butter, cream, and prasad like panchamrit, are prepared and distributed to all in the society.

The first day of Dolyatra is called "Gondh." It is believed that Lord Krishna decided to visit Ghunucha ( one of his wives) on this day. A bonfire is lit in front of the prayer house, and Lord Krishna's idol is taken around it as a customary practice. People also worship Radha and Krishna on this day by singing bhajans and performing pujas. The chariot with the idols of Radha and Krishna is taken around in West Bengal with chants of "Hari Bol" reverberating in the air.

The second day is Bhor-Deul or Dol. Colored powder is known as "phag" in Bengal, and "Abir" in Assam and Bihar is applied to the photo of the deceased family members. Colored powder is then used on the feet of elders to seek their blessings. Once the blessings of elders are received, the tradition of applying and smearing other people with colors begins. Finally, rasgullas are prepared and distributed, and people visit the houses of their near and dear ones.

The third day is celebrated similarly to people playing with color. The fourth day is called "Sueri," when Lord Krishna returns from Ghunucha's home. A procession is taken with hundreds of devotees marking the festival's end. People continue to throw colors at the idol and each other.

Dolyatra celebrates the love of Lord Krishna and Radha and is also seen as a symbol of unity and happiness. In addition to this, you can visit the following places to be a part of Dolyatra celebrations:

• Kolkata, West Bengal: Dol Yatra is celebrated across several households and communal spaces in Kolkata, the capital city of West Bengal.
• Shantiniketan, West Bengal: Thousands of people congregate from India and abroad at Shantiniketan, Bolpur, Birbhum district of West Bengal, where Rabindranath Tagore re-introduced the festival of Dol Yatra.

You can now be a part of the celebrations of Dolyatra by traveling to any of the states by booking your tickets on redBus. redBus lets you book tickets online via their website or their app. You can log on or download the app and book your bus tickets to your des ired destination.