Fuldol Festival

Also known as Pushpadolotsav - Festival of Flowers, it is celebrated on the day after Holi, on Fagun.

Origin

Once Arjun accompanied Shri Krishna to Raivatachal - Mt.Girnar. Here the Lord pleased the Yadavas with divine sports. In turn, to please him, the joyous Yadavas made a swing of flowers. They then seated Shri Krishna and Arjun on the hindolo (swing), performed pujan and swung the hindolo. Henceforth the two became renowned as Nar-Narayan and the Pushpadolotsav came into being.

Import

By performing actions in accordance to the rules of Dharma, to please the Lord, the devotee symbolically brings the Lord nearer his heart. This is akin to pulling the hindolo swing towards himself. When the devotee falters in his devotion, the Lord moves away, symbolised by the swing moving away. Therefore the devotee strives to offer better bhakti, which results in the Lord's incessant proximity.

Ritual

Devotees construct a hindolo of flowers, instal the Lord's murti and swing Him. They also spray colored water on each other.

On Fuldol, people traditionally offer fagwaa roasted chick peas (chana), dates and popcorn to God and partake of the prasad.