कालेन यैर्वा विमिता: सुकल्पै- र्भूपांशव: खे मिहिका द्युभास: ॥ (Bhagavatha Puran 10.14.7)
Great scientists in the long run might succeed in counting all the particles of the earth, the sky, the snow and the light of the stars. But who can count all the qualities of You, you have unlimited transcendental qualities, You (Krishna), who descended for the benefit of all living beings.
Many festivals of Puri are related to Shri Jagannath temple, out of which one most important festival is 'Chandan Yatra'. In the metaphysical system the festivals are known as 'Yatra'. This summer Festival of Lord Jagannath falls on Akshaya Trutiya i.e, the 3rd day of the bright fort night of the month of Baisakha.
This auspicious day also marks the beginning of the construction of the chariots for the ceremonial sojourn of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra to the Gundicha Temple on the day of car festival. As per the Odiya traditions the Month of Vaisakha is very important as on the third day of the bright fortnight which is known as Akshaya Trutiya, the farmers of the state commence their seeds sowing process in order to ensure the harvest.
At Jagannath Dham Puri, after the world famous Ratha Yatra (cart festival), the Chandan Yatra is the second most famous festivals of Lord Jagannath. This is a festival that takes place for 42 long days and it is one among the famous twelve Yatras of Lord Jagannath. 'Chandan Yatra', literally, Sandalwood paste festival, indicates the worshiping of the deities with sandal mixed water. Chandan yatra is devided into two periods i.e, Bahar chandan or outer chandan (21 days) and Bhitar chandan or inner chandan (21 days).
According to tradition, every year after the Chandan Yatra Haldipai festival, five boats used in Chandan Yatra named 'Nanda', 'Bhadra' and 'Baijantari' are immersed in water on the steps of Narendra tank. On the day of Chaitra Purnami, all the five boats are taken out from the waters of Narendra tank to prepare them for the upcoming Chandana Yatra. Around thirty servitors perform this activity. Nanda and Bhadra boats will be made by connecting two boats each.
During the Chandana Yatra, the Deities will be boarded to the Nanda and Bhadra boats. In the Baijantari boat, the traditional musical instruments will be played in front of the other two boats. The outer chandan lasts for 21 days. Everyday the representative images of the deities i.e, Rama, Krishna, Madan Mohan, Laxmi and Saraswati (Biswadhatri) are taken in a procession from Jagannath Temple to the Narendra tank (also known as chandan pokhari in local language).
The five shivas known as Pancha Pandavas; Lokanatha, Jameswar, Markandaya, Kapala Mochana and Nilakantha, accompany Madan Mohan (the representative of Lord Jagannath) to the narendra tank. In a gorgeously decorated boat Madan Mohan, Laxmi and Saraswati are placed and in another are placed Rama, Krishna and the Pancha Pandavas (five shivas). The deities enjoy an evening cruise and various models of worship in the pictureseque narendra tank with the accompaniment of music and dance. On the last day of the festival 'Bhaunri Yatra' is performed.
Narendra Tank; Situated about three quarters of a mile north-east of the Jagannath temple, the Narendra tank covers an area of over 3.240 hectares (8 acres). It is 834 feet by 873 feet in size. The tank has an island in its middle bearing a small temple, connected with the south bank with a bridge, to which Madan Mohan, the representative deity of Jagannath, is brought during the chandan yatra.
It is believed that the history of Chandan Yatra has its root in the deep past of Mahabharata. During the Agyaatvasa of the Pandavas, they were staying in disguise in the palace of king Virata. After sometime when the king came to know about the Pandavas staying in his palace and he immediately met them and offered them prestige and friendship. One day the kind asked the Pandavas to let him meet Vasudeva, Shri Krishna.
To fullfil his desire Dharmaraj Yudhisthir advised the king to arrange boat rowing in a tank for the amusement of Lord Krishna in summer months. To give the Lord comfort from the strong heat the king offered Him sandal paste in fragrant water. So the king arranged accordingly in a large tank the boat rowing festival.
Being satisfied with the dedication and devotion of King Virata Lord Shree Krishna appeared along with his elder brother Balarama. The Lord with his elder brother Balarama and Pancha Pandavas enjoyed the Snana yatra and rowing festival. Thus beholding Lord Krishna in this rowing festival the pious king fulfilled his devotional desire.
The Chandan Yatra of Shri Jagannath commences on this day along with the formation of the cart for the deities also begins this day. This is the day when woods for Jagannatha's chariot are brought to SriMandira and the construction of the chariots for Ratha Yatra Festival (held on Asadha Shukla Dwitiya) of Prabhu Jagannath in Puri. Rath Yatra is the annual car festival of Lord Jagannatha in which Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Shubhadra visits queen Gundicha in the Gundicha temple two miles away from the Jagannath temple.
Shri Jagannath, Balabhadra and Shubhadra go to Gundicha temple by their individual chariots. The chariot of Jagannath is called Nandighosha or Garudadhwaja or Kapiladhwaja. The chariot of Balabhadra is Taladhwaja or Langaladhwaja. Tha chariot of Shubhadra is caled Darpadalana or Devadalana or Padmadhwaja. The annual car festival takes place in 2nd day of Shukla-pakshya of Asadha month.
Today is the day when the great 12th Century Sanskrit poet Jayadeba was born in Utkala and later in his life composed "Gita Govinda" which had set the Bhakti movement and established the character of Radha as corporal embodiment of Krishna's love. Poet Jayadeba was born at village Kenduli Sasana near Puri. A Sasana is a name of villages that traditionally were centers of Brahmin scholarly activity in Odisha. Jayadeb himself was a Brahmin.
Jayadeba's ashtapadis that are sung in dance performances of Odissi, the classical dance of Odisha. A majority of Odia bhajans and traditional Odissi music are based on ragas and talas specified by Jayadeba's hymns. The Gita Gobinda composed by Jayadeba is the most popular theme in the traditional patachitra paintings of Odisha.
Today is the day when the Khandayata Emperor Kapilendra Deva Routray of Suryavanshi Gajapati had written a sanskrit play "Parashuram Vijaya" as a tribute to Guru Parashuram on Parashuram Jayanti. This is the day when Guru Parashurama appeared on Earth - Parshuram is known for destroying the the kings and rulers who, over the time had completely forgotten their Kshatriya dharma and became selfish, evil, arrogant and tyrant.
Today with so many adharmic forces active in the world, his purifying action is needed again to remove the powers of ignorance. This is the day when Prabhu Vishnu in the form of Matsyavatar rescued the seeds from Pralaya and gave them back to Brahma to create a New Universe. This is the day which marks the beginning of Treta-yuga.
This is the day when Kubera received his wealth and position as custodian of wealth. It is said that Goddess Mahalaxmi gave gold to Kubera, the God of wealth. It is also the day when Mahalakshmi comes out of Sri Mandira to bless her children on this day and hence, on this day Odias indulge in buying gold and silver as a mark of Shree Sampada or Lakshmi.
This is the day when Devi Ganga, on request of Bhagiratha, descended from Swargalok to Prithvi to revive his deceased brothers. Hence, Maa Ganga is also known as Bhagirathi.
This is the day when Sudama visited Krishna at Dwaraka and Krishna demonstrated the power of love and friendship sharing a handful of fried rice.
This is the day when Pandavas received the Akshaya Patra from Surya Deva ( a Hindu organization estabilshed a foundation with that name that continues to do good work by filling hungry stomachs).
This is the day when Ved Vyasa recited Mahabharata to Sri Ganesh.
This is the day when Adi Sankaracharya, who revived and revitalized Hindu dharma, composed Kanakadhara Stotram.
Today is the day when the Great Hindu Warlord Chhatrapati Sambhaji was born to tread this world and fight against foreign forces.
Important places of Srikhetra
Authored by Anadi Sahoo
