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Religion
Devasa's Dol Gyaraas: 7.5‑kg Nrisimha Stone Idol Floated Thrice in Bhamori River
✍️ Amar Ujala · Madhya Pradesh
🗓 22 Sep 2026, 11:00 PM
👁 15
During the 127‑year‑old Dol Gyaraas ceremony in Hatpiplya, Devasa, a 7.5 kg stone idol of Lord Nrisimha was floated three times on the Bhamori River, an act considered a propitious omen by locals.
The annual Dol Gyaraas festival was observed in Hatpiplya, a village near Devasa in Madhya Pradesh, where a 7.5‑kilogram stone idol of Lord Nrisimha was ceremonially floated on the Bhamori River. The ritual, part of a tradition that dates back 127 years, required the idol to be placed on the water’s surface three separate times.
Local priests and community elders explained that the three successive floats are interpreted as a favorable sign, symbolising divine approval and the promise of prosperity for the coming year. The practice has been handed down through generations, with each iteration reinforcing the cultural bond between the villagers and their deity.
Thousands of devotees gathered along the riverbank to witness the event, chanting hymns and offering prayers as the stone idol glided across the water. The crowd’s enthusiasm reflected the deep-rooted reverence for Nrisimha, a fierce incarnation of Vishnu, and the collective hope that the auspicious ceremony would bring blessings to the region.
The Bhamori River, which flows through the heart of the district, served as a natural stage for the ritual, its calm waters providing a symbolic medium for the deity’s presence. Organisers ensured that safety measures were in place, allowing the large assembly to observe the ceremony without incident.
The successful completion of the three floats concluded the Dol Gyaraas celebrations for this year, with participants returning home confident that the auspicious omens will guide the community through the months ahead.
Local priests and community elders explained that the three successive floats are interpreted as a favorable sign, symbolising divine approval and the promise of prosperity for the coming year. The practice has been handed down through generations, with each iteration reinforcing the cultural bond between the villagers and their deity.
Thousands of devotees gathered along the riverbank to witness the event, chanting hymns and offering prayers as the stone idol glided across the water. The crowd’s enthusiasm reflected the deep-rooted reverence for Nrisimha, a fierce incarnation of Vishnu, and the collective hope that the auspicious ceremony would bring blessings to the region.
The Bhamori River, which flows through the heart of the district, served as a natural stage for the ritual, its calm waters providing a symbolic medium for the deity’s presence. Organisers ensured that safety measures were in place, allowing the large assembly to observe the ceremony without incident.
The successful completion of the three floats concluded the Dol Gyaraas celebrations for this year, with participants returning home confident that the auspicious omens will guide the community through the months ahead.