Papdahandi, – The Dola and Holi festivals were celebrated with great enthusiasm in Papdahandi. People exchanged greetings and best wishes for the occasion.
For Dola, every evening, a Vimana procession set out from the Jagannath Temple, visiting every street in the village before returning to the temple. This procession included priests, villagers, kirtan groups, traditional musicians, and dancers, who performed throughout the journey.
For Holi, temporary stalls selling pichkaris (water guns), colored powders, and masks were set up across Papdahandi, attracting a lot of business. The Holipoda Yatra (Holika Dahan festival) was organized at Pondi Kot Panchayat’s Napadar area, and another grand Holipoda event was held at Dhamanapadar, known for its ancient Holipoda tradition. Thousands of people gathered to witness the spectacle of burning a tall wooden structure at midnight, with the head priest lighting the fire at 12 AM. By 4 AM, priests walked over the burning embers, drawing a massive crowd eager to witness the ritual.
To entertain the attendees, tribal dramas and cultural performances were also organized. Similarly, Holi and Dola celebrations took place in other block areas such as Maidalpur, Tumbarla, Jatabal, and Mokia, all marked by grandeur and festive spirit.
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