Odisha to showcase ‘Dola Melana’ in Republic Day celebrations at New Delhi

Bhubaneswar: The state government has decided to showcase Dola Yatra or Dola Melana in the Odisha tableau at the Republic Day parade in New Delhi.

The proposal of the state government to showcase the art and culture through ‘Dola Melana’ has been accepted by a 16-member committee constituted by Defence ministry.

While the design has been finalized, the work for the tableau would begin in the first week of January, said an official of Information and Public Relation department.

During Dola Melana or Dola Festival, Lord Krishna travels different villages or Sahi’s in Odisha. The get together is witnessed in different villages.

Deities from different villages come to the Melana Padia ( field) by Dola/Bimana, a specially designed temple like structure made up of wood. The idols visit the house of devotees to give darshan in the Bimana during the Hindu month of Phalgun, which is the month of March as per the Gregorian calendar.

People play with gulal and abeer during the Dola festival.