The Chandan Yatra, which continued for 3 weeks at Jagannath Temple in Puri, has concluded. Normally, hundreds of devotees flock to witness this yatra yearly. However, this 12 months, the Yatra was carried out amidst strict Covid protocol.Â
Chandana Yatra also referred to as Gandhalepana yatra is the longest competition noticed at Jagannatha Temple in Puri. Chandana Yatra or Sandalwood Voyage in Sanskrit continues for 42 days and is noticed in two elements: Bahara Chandana and Bhitara Chandana. Bahara Chandana begins from the auspious day of Akshaya Tritiya and continues for 21 days. Only from today, building of the chariots for the annual Ratha Yatra competition begins.
In the primary 21 days, the consultant idols of the principle deities of the Jagannath temple in addition to 5 Shivalingas often known as the Pancha Pandava are taken in a procession from the Singhadwara or the Lion Gate of the Jagannatha Temple in Puri to the Narendra Tirtha tank. The deities Madanamohana, Bhudevi, Sridevi and Ramakrishna take part on this yatra for 21 days. The deities are taken on two chapas (boats), particularly, Nanda and Bhadra, on an tour across the Narendra Tritha.
After varied rituals the deities are taken to the Narandra pond situated close to the Jagannath Temple and they’re positioned on grandly embellished boats for a night cruise of the tank. The final 21 days embody rituals held contained in the temple itself.