Chandan Yatra

Chandan Yatra

Chandan Yatra

Gandhalepana yatra, Gandha lepana yatra, Chandan yatra at Jagannath temple, Narendra tank Chandana Yatra

Chandan yatra starts on the third day of the bright fortnight in the hindu lunar month of Vaisakha and continues for fourty two (42) days. It is the longest yatra of Lord Jagannatha. Chandan Yatra is also known as Gandhalepana yatra (Sandalwood Voyage). It is one of the famous festivals celebrated in the Narendra tank at Puri along with Car festival and Snana Yatra. This Festival Starts on Akshaya Tritiya day. Akshaya Tritiya is also observed as the harvest festival in this part of the country.

According to a Belief, Lord Jagannatha instructed King Indradyumna to perform Chandan yatra. During this yatra idol of lord jagannatha smeared with sandalwood paste taken in to procession. Chandan Yatra is observed in two parts – Bahara Chandana (21 days) and Bhitara Chandana (21 days). Bahara Chandana is observed in the Narendra tank and Bhitara Chandana is observed in the Jalakrida Mandapa inside the temple.

Bahara Chandana

Bahara Chandana is observed for twenty one (21) days. This ritual starts on Akshaya Tritiya day. Carpenters start constructing of the chariots for the annual Jagannath Rath Yatra on this day. During these days idols of the Jagannatha temple and Pancha pandava are taken to the procession from the Singhadwara or the Lion Gate of the Jagannath temple at Puri to the Narendra Tirtha tank. In the Evening, after completion of the rituals idols are taken to the cruise on grandly decorated boats.

Bhitara Chandana

Bhitara Chandana is observed for twenty one days after completion of the Bahara Chandana. Here cruise is celebrated only on four occasions the Amavasya, Purnima, on the Shashti and the Ekadashi of the Shukla paksha. For these 21 days, most of the rituals held inside of the temple.

One Response to “Chandan Yatra”

  1. Prakash Mohanty

    Apr 22. 2015

    hare krishna,
    thank you for update, can i got about madhebendrapuri story link with chandan yatra please

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