CHANDAN YATRA( MAHAPRABHU SHREE JAGANNATH)

This large tank is located north-east of Mahapravu Shree Jagannath’s temple. This pond is also known as Sri Candana Puskarani, because Mahapravu Shree Jagannath comes here every evening for 21 consecutive days during Chandana-Yatra, from Aksaya-trtiya (in month of Vaisakha or April/May) up to Suklastami-tithi in the month of Jyestha (May/June) to enjoy His Nauka-Lila (boating pastime).

Mahapravu’s Chandana Yatra & Nauka-Lila: Before coming here, Mahapravu’s festive Deity (utsava murthi) of Madan Mohana along with His consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi bathe in sandalwood water and are dechorated with fragrant flowers. All the Deities travel here on 7 different palanquins. Pravu Madan-Mohana, Sridevi and Bhudevi arrive in one palanquin; Pravu Shree Rama Govinda on a second palanquin; and 5 more palanquins transport the Panca Mahadevas (five Siva linga Deities): Pravu Lokanatha, Pravu Janesvara, Pravu Kapal-Mochana, Pravu Markandeswara and Pravu Nilakantheswara. Entire length of the procession route from Jagannatha Mandira to Narendra Sarovara is lined with white canopies strewn with forest leaves, flower and fruits. In Narendra-Sarovara two nicely decorated boats are used for Holy Chandana-Yatra: one boat Pravu Shree Madan-Mohana and other boat for Pravu Shreei Rama Govinda and Pancha-Sivas. While the Pravus ride in their boats around the pond, throngs of devotees line the banks chanting Harinam-Sankirtan and relishing most spectacular pastimes of the Pravu. After a certain point all the Deities are brought to the temple in the middle of the pond and receive worship from the pandas. After the festivities the Deities go back to their respective temples in their palanquins.