Jagannath Temple, Puri – Chandan
Yatra
Chandana Yatra also known
as Gandhalepana yatra is the longest festival observed at Jagannatha temple at Puri. In Akshaya
Tritiya, every year the Chandan
Yatra festival marks the commencement of the construction of
the Chariots of the Ratha Yatra. Chandana Yatra meaning Sandal
wood Voyage in Sanskrit,
which continues for 42 days is observed in two parts: Bahara Chandana and
Bhitara Chandana
Bahara Chandana:
Bahara Chandana starts
from Akshaya Tritiya and continues for 21
days. Construction of the chariots for the annual Ratha
Yatra festival starts from Akshaya Tritiya. On the first 21
days the representative idols of the main deities of the Jagannath temple as
well as five Shivalingas known as the Pancha Pandava
are taken in a procession from the Singhadwara or the Lion Gate of the
Jagannatha temple at Puri to the Narendra Tirtha tank.
Utsava idols Madan Mohan, Bhoodevi Sridevi and
Ramakrishna participate in this yatra for 21 days. The deities are taken on two
chapas (boats), namely, Nanda and Bhadra, on an excursion around the Narendra Teertha. After
various rituals the deities are taken to the Narandra pond located near the
Jagannath Temple and they are placed on grandly decorated boats for an evening
cruise of the tank.
Bhitara Chandana:
The last 21 days include rituals
held inside the temple itself. Instead of the daily cruises, the playful ride
happens here on four occasions, the Amavasya,
the full moon night, on the Shashti and the Ekadashi of
the bright fort night.
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