Chandan Yatra is the longest festival observed at Jagannath temple at Puri, India. Chandan Yatra meaning Sandalwood, which continues for 42 days is observed in two parts: Bahar Chandan and Bhitar Chandan.
Bahar Chandan starts from Akshaya Tritiya and continues for 21 days. Construction of the chariots for the annual Ratha Yatra festival starts from Akshaya Tritiya.
On the first 21 days the representative idols of the main deities of the Jagannath temple as well as five Shivalinga's known as the Panch Pandav are taken in a procession from the Singhadwar or the Lion Gate of the Jagannath temple at Puri to the Narendra Tirtha tank. The deities Madanamohan, Bhudevi, Sridevi and Ramakrishn participate in this yatra for 21 days. The deities are taken on two chapas (boats), namely, Nanda and Bhadra, on an excursion around the Narendra Tritha. After various rituals the deities are taken to the Narendra pond located near the Jagannath Temple and they are placed on grandly decorated boats for an evening cruise of the tank.
The last 21 days include rituals held inside the temple itself. Instead of the daily cruises, the playful ride happens here on four occasions, the Amavasya, the full moon night, on the Shashti and the Ekadashi of the bright fortnight.
अक्षय तृतीया विशेष : आरती | भजन | मंत्र | नामवली | कथा | मंदिर | भोग प्रसाद
In Chandan yatra, it is believed that Bhagwan is smeared with sandalwood paste due to the scorching heat of summer. This Chandan yatra festival is celebrated over a period of 21 days in which the devotees make different arrangements to cool the lord down and want to give him relief from the intense heat.
Although Bhagwan in him self-sufficient and does not require anything, but the devotees taking Krishna to be their life and soul and most beloved friend, they cannot bear the thought of him having to experience the burning sun of the summer, they always want him to be pleased and hence they take care of him with so much affection.
Bhaje vrajaika-mandanam samasta-papa-khandanam
swa-bhakta-chitta-ranjanam sadaiva nanda-nandanam
su-piccha-guccha-mastakam su-nada-vennu-hastakam
ananga-ranga-sagaram namami krishna-nagaram
|| Manmohan Sundaram ||