May 10th 2024.
The annual water sports summer festival, also known as Chandan Yatra, kicked off on Friday evening with a traditional ceremony in Puri. This festival, spanning twenty-one days, is a popular celebration of Lord Jagannath.
As part of the festivities, the idol of Madan Mohan, representing Lord Sri Jagannath, was joined by five Shivas and made their way to the grand Narendra tank for a refreshing boat ride. This practice continues for twenty-one days and culminates on the 21st day with a ritual called "Bhaunri".
Following the schedule, Madanmohan, along with his consort Laxmi and the Panch Mahadevas, believed to be the incarnations of the Pancha Pandavas, embarked on their journey from the temple in six separate palanquins. The grand road leading to the Narendra tank, about 1.5 km away, was filled with excitement as they made their way towards the water for a delightful boating experience.
Upon reaching the tank, the deities were given a special bath with sandalwood paste and aromatic water to cool them off. Then, they were taken in a procession to their designated boats, "Nanda" and "Bhadra", which were shaped like giant swans. With the deities on board, the boats glided through the water as they enjoyed the ride. As the day came to an end, the deities returned to the temple in the same grand style as they had departed, marking the end of another day of the festival.
This beautiful scene is repeated every day for twenty-one days, with devotees eagerly waiting to witness the joyous boat ride of the deities. The atmosphere is filled with devotion and merriment, making the Chandan Yatra an unforgettable experience for all.
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