Chandan Yatra Concludes Peacefully at the Shrine of Maa Mangala
Kakatpur, 02/06/2024 – The sacred rituals of Maa Mangala in Kakatpur are deeply intertwined with Odisha’s Jagannath culture. Just like the rituals and festivals observed at the Jagannath Temple, similar traditions and festivals are also celebrated at the temple of Maa Mangala. Among these, the Chandan Yatra or Haladi Pani Yatra holds a prominent place. This is one of the oldest and longest-running festivals celebrated annually, similar to the Chandan Yatra observed in Lord Jagannath’s temple in Puri.
While the Chandan Yatra is observed in many parts of Odisha including Puri, it is in Maa Mangala’s temple that the festival is celebrated for the longest duration during the month of Baisakh. On the southern side of the temple premises lies the shrine of Lord Radha Krishna. During the scorching summer heat of Baisakh, the deities are smeared with sandalwood paste (chandan) to provide relief from the intense heat. The sandalwood paste used for bathing rituals is prepared daily using fragrant ingredients like chandan, camphor, turmeric, aloe, kasturi (musk), nutmeg, and various aromatic flowers including jasmine, rose, champa, juhi, sugandharaj, and mallika.
After being bathed in this aromatic water, Lord Radha Krishna is taken out every evening in a beautifully decorated palanquin accompanied by priests, Brahmins, gopalas (cowherds), barbers, and sevayats (temple attendants). The procession is accompanied by traditional instruments like conch shells, bells, mridanga, khola, cymbals, and mahuri (wind instrument), creating a divine ambiance as the deities go on a city circumambulation (nagar parikrama).
This year, due to the general elections and the model code of conduct still in effect, the temple’s executive officer Kailash Chandra Dash stated that the Chandan Yatra or Haladi Pani festival would be conducted in a simple and peaceful manner without any pomp and show. All rituals were carried out according to the pre-established schedule. The festival spans a total of 22 days, beginning from Baisakh Shukla Tritiya or Akshaya Tritiya.
Maa Mangala’s independent Chandan Yatra has gained immense popularity across Odisha. It is believed that this tradition dates back to the 13th century CE. Following the recent tragic firecracker explosion in Puri, local Tahsildar and Temple Trust Board Chairperson Ankita Ananidita instructed the temple executive officer Kailash Chandra Dash to ensure that no fireworks are used during the celebrations as a safety measure.
Among the key participants in this year’s festival were temple staff Bapuji Dash, Milu Mohanty, and Rabindra Jena, along with other dignitaries and devotees.
