Dol Yātrā 1970

Dol Jatra (দোলযাত্রা), or Dol Purnima, is the full moon of Phalgun, Bengal's festival of colours. Images of Radha and Krishna are placed on a decorated swing (dol), smeared with abir, and carried in procession while devotees sing and play with coloured powder.

The same full moon is Gaura Purnima, the birthday of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, born at Nabadwip in 1486, who filled Bengal with the chanting of the Holy Name. Mayapur and Nabadwip celebrate with kirtan through the day.

At Shantiniketan the day is Basanta Utsav, the spring festival begun by Rabindranath Tagore, with songs, dances and colours.