Chandan Yatra

Chandan Yatra is the most religious festval celebrated in the shrine of Jagannath Temple at Puri. Lord Jagannath gave a direct instruction to the founder of Jagannath Temple King Indradyumna to perform Chandan Yatra during the time summer. The festival starting from Akshaya Trutiya the third day of the waxing moon of Vaisakha month for twenty one days. Chandan Yatra, the name of the festival is very symbolic as sandal paste popularly known as chandan and water are its inseparable constituents. that is why the festival is held in the month of Vaisakha, a time when the summer heat is at its peak and sandel paste and water are essential to keep the people cool. Similar to human beings, the Hindu deities, who are modeled on human behavior pattern only, are also treated the same way.This festival is very famous and colorful next to Ratha Yatra (Car festival). It is the longest Yatra of Lord Jagannath.

The representative image of the God set up in places of worship such as " Madanmohana" (representing Lord Jagannath), Mahalakshmi and Bhudevi are escorted by substitutes of Sri Jagannath, Rama Krishna, Lakshmi, Saraswati and five Shivas are taken in a opulently festooned palanquin by the 'Sevakas' attended by priests, musicians and dancers to the Narendra Sarobar from Jagannath Temple at night. this festival is most sophisticated in Puri and is a focus for thousands of pilgrims from far and near. on all twenty-one days, the whole road and Bada Danda from the temple of Lord Jagannath leading up to the "Narendra Sarobar" along with the house on both sides is adorned.

The boats are generally red and white in color and are so designed that they resemble huge swans floting on water. The most peculiar thing about this ceremony is that Madanmohana with Laxmi and Saraswati rides on the white raft where as Ramakrishna with Pancha Shivas rides on the red one. The deties continue taking boat rides till early morning and then retire to their respective shrines. This procedure is followed during the entire festival. The last day of the Chandan Yatra festival called Bhaunri, and some special  arrangements are made for this. Thousands of people enjoy the festival with great delight.

The tradition is followed in some other parts of the state as well. Images of Gods are taken out in a procession on palanquins to the nearby tanks and perambulated in water on boats. After the ceremony which usually takes place at mid-night, peopl'.e enjoy performances of dance, drama and music specially arranged for this occasion. Most of the temples out side Puri are observed this festival only for the three days.





At Bhubaneswar, the Chandan Yatra belongs to Lord Lingaraj and is observed in Bindu Sagar, a huge tank near the temple. the floats here is moved to the Mandapa - an inlet-like structure which is an elevated platform; in the middle of the tank "Bindu Sagar".