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By Rajkumar Mohanty
Puri: Lord Jagannath along with fellow deities began his Chandan Yatra, a 21-day-long annual water sport summer festival, to bit the summer heat on the auspicious occasion of Akshay Tritiya on Friday. Akshay Tritiya is considered as a sacred day for initiation of all work across Orissa. |
Lord Madan Mohan, the representative idol
of Lord Jagannath, his consort Laxmi and Panch
Mahadevs (believed to be incarnation of Panch
Pandavas) began the journey from the temple
in six separate palanquins along the Grand
Road (Bada Danda) to Narendra tank (a huge
water body) situated about 1.5 km away from
the temple for boat ride.
The deities were ceremonially escorted by
a set of temple servitors with the traditional
music band playing the tunes of Geet Gobinda
and Odissi Bhajans.
The youths of various Jaaga Ghars (martial
arts units) accompanied the deities displaying
their martial art skills along the way.
The rhythmic body movements of the palanquin
bearers in concert with swinging of the
top half of the decorated palanquin is a
rare treat for the pilgrims and devotees
who accompany the deities and participate
in the bathing ritual.
The playing of Odissi `Dekha Go Radhamadhaba
Chali' on clarinet accompanied by trumpets,
cymbals and blowing of conch shells besides
display of fireball skill (banati) in the
procession presented a splendid scene along
the Bada Danda.
The deities on their arrival at the Narendra
tank were accorded a sandal wood paste and
aromatic water bath for cooling effect.
Then the deities were taken in procession
to their respective boats shaped as giant
swans.
The deities on board move about the tank
enjoying the notes and dances of Odissi
presented by danseuses on the decks till
late in the evening and return to the temple
in the manner and style as they went.
This scene is repeated every day and on
completion of 21 days the concluding ceremony
known as `Bhaunri' is observed with display
of fireworks and music extravaganza.
Akshay Tritiya also marks the beginning
of the construction work of the three chariots
of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi
Subhadra for the annual Rath Yatra which
falls on July 16 this year.
As per the religious tradition, the temple
priests handed over the `Ajnaya Mallya'
(the order of the Lord Jagannath) to the
headman of the temple carpenters clan and
after observance of ceremonial `homa' (consecration
ceremony) the construction of the chariots
started.
Akshay Tritiya day is an important day for
the agrarian families of Orissa who began
ploughing and showing of seeds on this day,
while many start their house and new ventures.
Children in villages go to every house in
groups to collect `Ghadi Pathuli' (small
pots full with sweet meats) kept for them
by the house owner after offering to deities.
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