Chandan Yatra : |
|
Chandan Yatra, also known as Chandan Mahotsava, is one of the most important yatras at the world famous Puri Jagannath Temple in Orissa, India. Chandan Yatra is a festival of the Hindu god Jagannath held on Akshaya Tritiya at the Jagannath Temple (Puri) every year. On this day auspicious to Hindus, construction of the chariots for the annual Rath Yatra festival is begun. Chandan Yatra meaning Sandalwood Voyage in Sanskrit continues for another 42 days. 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 Jagannath temple at Puri to the Narendra Tirtha tank. After various rituals the deities are placed on grandly decorated boats for an evening cruise of the tank. The last 21 days include rituals held inside the temple itself. |
