Puri, May 20: The ritualistic and attractive 21-day 'Bahar Chandan Yatra' of Lord Jagannath ended last night.

The Bahar Chandan Yatra (Outside the Shreemandir) started on the auspicious Akhaya Tritiya Tithi on April 30. Every day, the Modanmohan and Ramkrushna (the movable representative idols of Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabadra), Bhudevi and Shreedevi, along with Panchapandav (Five Mahadevs) used to move in a palanquin procession to Narendra Puskarani to do boating.

The daily procession amid the beating of gongs and trumpets and chanting of Haribola added to the devotional atmosphere in the area.

As per ritual, two marvellously decorated boats, Nanda and Bhadra, carrying the idols, floated on the holy waters till late evening every day. The boating ritual is called 'Chapakhela'. The lords do Chapakhela to get relief from the scorching summer heat.

A large number of devotees witnessed the Chandan Yatra every day. Adequate police personnel were deployed for crowd management on the Bada Danda and around the Narendra Puskarani.

From today, Bhitar Chandan Yatra will be held inside the Shreemandir. This ritual will also continue for 21 days.

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