Chandan Yatra Begins at Maa Mangala Temple
Kakatpur, 11/05/2024 (Tushar Dixit): The Maa Mangala Temple in Kakatpur, Puri district—one of Odisha’s renowned Ashta Chandis (eight powerful goddess shrines)—has officially commenced the annual Chandan Yatra festival. Closely connected with Jagannath culture, the rituals and festivals at Maa Mangala Temple align significantly with those observed at Lord Jagannath’s Temple in Puri.
Among these rituals, Chandan Yatra is one of the most prominent and traditional festivals. It is a long-standing celebration observed across various locations in Odisha, including Puri. At Maa Mangala Temple, the Chandan Yatra, held in the month of Vaishakh, is one of the most extended and elaborate festivals.
The festival begins at the Radha-Krishna Temple located on the southern side of the Maa Mangala temple premises. As the intense summer heat rises during Vaishakh, sandalwood paste is applied to the deities for cooling. The purpose of the Chandan Yatra is to provide relief to the deities from the scorching summer heat.
Starting from Akshaya Tritiya, Lord Radha-Krishna is seated on a beautifully decorated palanquin (Mani Viman) and taken in a grand procession from Maa Mangala Temple to the Chandan Tutha, located on the banks of the Prachi River in Chandan Bazar. At the riverbank, fragrant water is prepared for the deity’s ceremonial bath using sandalwood, camphor, turmeric, rosewater, kasturi (musk), nutmeg, jasmine, champa, juhi, sugandharaj, and rose petals.
After bathing in the perfumed water, the deities play in boats (chapa khela) specially arranged in the river. Following the boat play, accompanied by the sounds of conch shells, bells, mridanga, khola-tal, mahuri, and hula huli (traditional chants), the deities are carried back to the temple by Brahmins, Gopals, Bhoi sevayats, and other attendants.
During the return procession, the deities are treated to offerings of chacheri bhog (a traditional dish) at various stops. The festival continues for a total of 22 days, with the final day marked by the Haladi Pani Utsav (turmeric water celebration).
This independent festival and procession of Maa Mangala have earned widespread fame across Odisha. Researchers believe that the Chandan Yatra at Maa Mangala Temple has been celebrated since the 13th century CE.
