Chandan Purnima, also known as Chandan Jatra, is observed on the full moon day (Poornima) in the month of Baisakh or Vaishakh (April – May) in Puri Jagannath Temple Jagannath Temple
Chandan in Chandan Purnima refers to the sandal paste used to smear on the murtis during the festival to keep it cool during the summer heat. Sandal paste is also mixed in the water in the Narendra Pond.
Chandan Purnima festival is also held in numerous other temples dedicated to Bhagwan Jagannath in Orissa. It begins on the Akshaya Tritiya day. In some temples the festival concludes on the Chandan Purnima day. In some temples the festival continues for 21 or 42 days.
Story Of Chandan Purnima In Jagannath Temple
Chandan Yatra is observed at the Narendra Tank at Puri. Origin of Chandan Yatra is traced back to the Mahabharata era. The Pandavas were in the final year of their exile and was leading the Ajnatha Vasa (living in disguise among public). They were residing in the court of King Virata. After the killing of Kichaka by Bhim, King Virata came to know that the Pandavas are living his palace.
King Virata soon befriended the Pandavas and asked them to help him in having the darshan of Bhagavan Krishna. Yudhisthira advised King Virata to conduct a boat rowing festival in his kingdom during the summer months. Hearing about the boat rowing festival, Bhagavan Krishna arrived along with his brother Balarama.
An overjoyed Virata offered Bhagavan Sri Krishna sandal paste in fragrant water to avoid the strong heat. Bhagavan Sri Krishna along with his brother Balarama and Pandavas enjoyed the Snana Yatra and rowing festival. Chandan yatra is conducted to commemorate this event.
The Chandan Yatra of Bhagavan Jagannath is observed for 42 days. It is divided into two parts of 21 day each. The first 21 days is known as Bahara Chandan and is observed in the Narendra tank. The second 21 days is known as Bhitara Chandan and is observed in the Jalakrida Mandapa inside the temple.
Murtis of Bhagavan Jagannath, Bhudevi, Sridevi, Rama, Krishna and Pandavas are carried in beautiful processions to the respective tanks. Bhagavan takes bath in a specially prepared area in the tank, which is mixed with sandalwood paste and other fragrance. The ritual also involves the rowing of deities in beautifully prepared boats around the tank.
Numerous other rituals and celebrations are observed during the 42-day period of Chandan Yatra.
It must be noted that today Chandan Yatra is observed in numerous other Jagannath Temples