Puri, Apr 30: Chandan Yatra of Lord Jagannath will be celebrated today, marking the beginning of the festival. It is celebrated during the month of Baishakha, which aligns with the Hindu lunar calendar of late April to early May.

Chandan Yatra is a 42-day long festival, starting with Akshaya Tritiya, and is known for its unique rituals involving the symbolic deities being taken to Narendra Pokhari for a water sport.

Commencing on Akshaya Tritiya day, this festival comes to an end on Deba Snana Purnima day.

The Chandan Yatra will be observed for 42 days in two parts — Bahara (ouster) Chandan and Bhitara (inner) Chandan — each spanning 21 days. On the first 21 days, the representative idols of the main deities of the Jagannath Temple — Madanmohan, Rama, Krishna, Sridevi and Bhudevi will be taken out in a procession from the 12th century shrine to the Narendra tank to enjoy water sports in the summer evenings. Five Shivas known as Pancha Pandavas, namely Lokanath, Yameswar, Markandaya, Kapal Mochan and Nilakantha will also accompany Madanmohan to the Narendra tank. The last 21 days of the Chandan Yatra will be observed inside the Jagannath temple during which the servitors will perform some special rituals.

The deities are smeared with sandalwood paste and then take a boat ride in the Narendra Pokhari, enjoying the summer heat with water sports.

Chandan Yatra also marks the beginning of construction of Raths (Chariots) for the annual Rath Yatra scheduled to take place on June 27.  

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