Post News Network
Cuttack, Feb 28: Even as the rest of the country is getting set for Holi, the festival of colours, residents of the Silver City are gearing up for ‘Fagu Melana’, which is also known as ‘Dola Purnima’. The festival of swings of Lord Krishna is celebrated annually for five days as per Hindu almanac in the Spring.
Ahead of the festival, carpenters at Badhei Sahi are busy making Bibhaans (veemana or palanquins), which are used to ferry the deity.
‘‘We are constructing swings for the lord as Fagu Melana is round the corner,’’ said Amarendra Maharana, a carpenter. He said the festival brings along with it good business opportunities for tradesmen like him.
According to sources, the festival starts Fagu Dasami day as per Hindu panchang, which is the 10th day of the fortnight of the month of Phalguna (February-March).
Devotees apply ‘abir’ (coloured powder) and move round the idols of Madan Mohan in decorated palanquins called vimana.
A procession is taken out for four days and on the fourth day all idols are assembled at a place where swings are fixed.
