ଦେଖ ଗୋ, ସଖି ଦେଖ ଗୋ,
ରାଧାମାଧବ ଚାଲି, ଦେଖ ଗୋ।
ମଣି ବିମାନ ଆସେ ଝୁଲି ଝୁଲି,
ମଣି ବିମାନ ଆସେ ଝୁଲି ଝୁଲି,
ଦେଖ ଗୋ, ସଖି ଦେଖ ଗୋ,
ରାଧାମାଧବ ଚାଲି, ଦେଖ ଗୋ।
The above lines can be heard on the offset of Bada Danda during the month of Baisakh (April-May) as deities from the Shri Mandir can be seen being taken to the Narendra Pushkarini. The above ‘Ghosha pada’ (Mukhda) is taken from the famous Odia Bhakti Song, ‘Dekhago Sakhi’ by Odissi Poet Banamali Das which was written in the medieval period (during the 16th Century). Through this beautiful song, the poet explains the awe-striking visuals he is witnessing as he stands on the Bada Danda & Shri Krishna is being taken on a palanquin for Chandan Yatra rituals in Narendra Pushkarini.
Chandan yatra is a summer festival which starts from Akshaya Tritiya and lasts for 42 days in most of the Vaishnavite temples in Odisha. The festival is celebrated in two parts; Bahara Chandan (The deities go out of the temple for ritual) for 21 days and Bhitara Chandan (The deities celebrate all the rituals inside the temple) for 21 days.
The concept of Chandan Yatra truly asks a question about all the things we have ever learned. Is God really different from us? Well, that’s a discussion no one can ever resolve.
The theory behind Chandan Yatra depicts the solution we seek to our Summer problem. Chandan (sandal paste) & water are used as essential items to keep people cool. As the Hindu deities are modelled on the behaviour of human beings, they are also given the same treatment.
During this festival, the deities are taken out of the temples in procession for perambulation in water on floats or boats. The richly decorated boats are called 'Chapa'. 'Chapa' is the Odia equivalent of 'float'. This festival is most elaborate in Puri and attracts thousands of pilgrims from far and near.
One of the most important festivals of Lord Jagannath at Puri, the same is also observed in all other important shrines of Odisha. All the deities on the boat take several rounds in the water which continue till the early hours of the morning and then retire to the respective shrines.
In Ekamra Kshetra, the ritual takes place in the middle of Bindusagar Tank in Old Town, Bhubaneswar. There is a small white temple known as Jagati Temple but often referred to as Brahma Temple. Usually, no deity is worshipped inside this temple. However, during the 42 days Chandan Yatra festival, this temple becomes a ritualistic centre, as the reflective deity of Lord Lingaraja pays a visit here by boat.
Do you know the story behind Chandan Yatra? Let us know in the comment section below.
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