GUWAHATI: People of Assam’s culturally rich Barpeta district, around 95 km west from Guwahati, are all set to celebrate the much-awaited “Doul Utsav” (locally known as Deul) or Holi with Satriya tradition at the Barepta Satra from Wednesday to Saturday.
The satra was established by Vaishnavite saint and socio-religious reformer Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva’s key disciple Mahapurush Madhabdev 439 years ago.
Even though Holi is celebrated in other satras with much enthusiasm, the Doul Utsav surpasses them all with its uniqueness and grandeur. The Doul Utsav was started by Mahapurush Sankardeva at Bordowa Satra. At Barpeta, Shree Shree Mathura Das Bura Ata, who took charge as the Bura Satriya of Barpeta Satra in 1595 AD, first celebrated the Doul Utsav in 1596 AD within the Satra precincts.
Manoj Kumar Das, who has been offering seva at the satra, said the satra records around 5 lakh footfall every year during the festival. “People of all age groups come to the satra, sing holi songs and play colours. The purpose of Doul Utsav is to strengthen the unity and brotherhood,” he added.
