Chandan Yatra begins in Orissa holy town of Puri

Chandan Yatra of Lord Jagannath

By Rajkumar Mohanty
Puri (Orissa), May 8: Lord of the universe Sri Jagannath along with fellow deities began his 21 day water sport summer festival in style popularly known as Chandan Yatra to bit the summer heat on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Trutiya on Thursday.

Madan Mohan, the representative idol of Lord Jagannath, his consort Laxmi, Panch Mahadevs (Shivas ), believed to be incarnation of panch Pandavas, began the journey from the temple in six separate palanquins along the grand road (Badadanda) to Narendra tank (a huge water body) situated about 1.5 km away from the main 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) accompany the deities displaying their martial art skills along the way.

The rhythmic body movements of palanquin bearers in concert with swinging of the top half of the decorated palanquin particularly of Madan Mohan called `Mani Vimana' is a rare treat for the pilgrims and devotees who accompany the deities and participate in the bathing ritual.

The playing of Odissi song `Dekha Go Radhamadhaba Chali' on clarinets accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and blowing of conch shells besides display of fireball skill (Banati) in the procession presented a splendid scene along the Badadanda.

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 fire works and musical extravaganza.

On the other hand, construction of the three big chariots for the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath started on the occasion. The annual car festival is scheduled to be held on July 16.

The construction of the chariots started after the temple priests handed over the `Ajnaya Mallya' (the order of the Lord Jagannath) to the three heads of the carpenters' clan and observance of ceremonial consecration ceremony.

 

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