Chandana Yatra

or the Festival of sandalwood pulp
Chandana Yatra
Akshaya Travelling, the third day of the bright half of the month of Vaisakha, which is very favorable for the most important initiatives, we have several very important events of the year :
On this day, after the ritual of fire worship (Homa) ceremony, which is held in front of the Palace of the King of Puri and the main office of the Puri Temple begins construction of the chariots for the summer festival Ratha Yatra.
Also, this day marks the beginning of the summer festival of the Deities known as the sandalwood festival or "Chandan Yatra", which lasts three weeks.
Ganga Devi descended to earth on this day and worship her, conducting Puja, amavasi in its sacred waters, offering up her prayers and making offerings.
On this blessed day begins the new agricultural season, when farmers begin to plow their fields.
Candadate is one of the most favorite holidays of the inhabitants of the Holy Vrindavana, is inextricably linked with the names of Sri Krishna and His eternal companion Srimati Radharani.
In every ancient spiritual tradition has its own spectacular and attractive for its mystical rituals, which details the relationship with God, and emphasize their personhood and a special warmth.
An outsider who is not familiar with the tradition, can be quite difficult to grasp the meaning of what is happening. After all, there every move and every item necessarily mean something, causing the novice or surprise or bewilderment. But those who are familiar with the background of the action, there is a long and colorful chain of various associations, of which the interwoven pattern durable, and always new and fresh relationship with God as Lord of all things and Director of all performances, unfolding in the sublunary world.
One of such rare events is considered and the feast of Candinate.
The name of the holiday comes from the word "chandana", meaning "paste of sandalwood". In this day the bhakta, or the people who live in the mood of selfless devotional service to God, and pujari (priests) with diligence and remarkable patience fray sandal wood fine powder. The pollen is then mixed with water and will get amazing in its natural simplicity, a remedy for the heat (about the amazing healing properties of sandalwood, we are not even talking). Why the heat? Yes, because the month of Vaisakha (April-may according to the lunar calendar) - this is a pretty hot season in India, and the deities in the temples prefer cool. That's just a day Centenary this with sandalwood paste daubed the body of the Deities, giving Them a feeling of coolness.
The main temples of Vrindavan this day the deities are extremely beautiful, being decorated with sandalwood. These days are especially favorable to visit the temple to see the deity. Candadate is one of the most favorite holidays of the inhabitants of the Holy Vrindavana, is inextricably linked with the names of Sri Krishna and His eternal companion Srimati Radharani.
According to legend, the Lord Jagannath gave the king Indradyumna instructions on how to conduct the ceremony.
This summer holiday Jagannath falls on Oxytrichia, that is, the 3rd day of the bright half of the month Vaisakha. Candadate is divided into two parts: Bagarchhap - public and Bhitarkanika Chandan - Chandan vnutritrekovye.
National (public) Chandan lasts for 21 days.
Along with the Deities of Rama, Krishna, Madanmohan, Lakshmi and Saraswati (Vishvamata), which as the representatives of the great Divinities, every day there is a procession to the famous man-made lakes (Kunda) Narendra. The procession passes from Singhaduar (gate of the Jagannath temple) and Narendrabhai the singing of hymns, bhajans, kirtans, drum rhythms-the drum and the ringing of Shantou (bells). Traditionally, the procession is headed by decorated Royal elephant and two giant decorated palanquins-Vimana, which carry the Deities. They put it on the shoulders of professional porters. Throughout the journey zrelishe gathers huge crowds wanting at least a glimpse of the Yatra and to bring the Deities from the heart some gifts.
Chandana Yatra
While driving to the lakes Narendra from time to time construct large wooden sheds-Chamundi in order to give Deities an opportunity to relax. In addition, the bhaktas, they also carry umbrellas-chatri, created by skilled craftsmen from the city Pipili, which is famous for its folk crafts. At this time you can see thousands of people bathed in the sacred lake, which is considered especially favorable.
Madanamohana (the representative of Lord Jagannath) was escorted five Shiv, known as Pancha-Pandavas: Lokanath, Jamesmar, Markandeya, Kapelman and Nilakantha. The whole body of śrī Jagannātha over Malay candana (sandalwood pulp gruel), and Sri Madanamohana, Lakshmi and Saraswati invited to the beautifully decorated boat. In the other boat are Rama, Krishna and Pancha-Pandavas. The deities enjoy an evening boating, and worship, which they have on lake Narendra music and dancing.
On the last day of the festival is Braunreiter, during which launch amazing fireworks and arrange a real musical performance.
Narendra Kunda was created Narendradeva, son Kaplankalesi. Placing the responsibility for the Kingdom on the shoulders of Purushottama, Narendra has dedicated all his energy, time and wealth for the construction of this sacred Kunda.
The lake is about a kilometer away from the Jagannath temple. Kunda stands in the middle of the island with a small temple. From the South coast to it is a bridge, which during Changanacheri are carrying the Deity of Madanamohana representing the main Deity of Jagannātha. Later the deities take a ritual bath in this little Hranice in stone tubs filled with water, the sandal paste, incense and flowers.
At the time, being in Puri, famous for Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu also took part in the festival, splashing in the water.
The apogee of sandalwood Candadate reaches Sanatra, or the ceremony of bathing in the full moon of the month of Jyestha. In this day the main deity descend from their pedestals on a raised platform in the sanctuary, on a bejeweled throne. The deities are washed in 108 pots of water brought specially from the Golden well. It is believed that from that day the deities remain for "recovery" for about two weeks. They are not allowed to see a mere mortal. The public shows only three pattachitra, or traditional Orissa paintings of natural colours on cloth, stretched on a bamboo panel that hides the deity from the eyes of people.
During this time the Gods bring only the roots, leaves, berries and fruits to cure Them from "malaise". Moreover, the almost exclusive privilege of serving the Master of the Universe during the "treatment", and then throughout the holiday Rathayatra (Procession of Chariots) belongs to citipati (ditam), considered to be the descendants of Lalita, the daughter of Visvavasu, who was the first who began to worship Jagannātha, and her husband the brahmin Vidyāpati, effort and stratagem which ancient God was finally available to all people, not just one Visvavasu.
After the completion of the public Centenary, the priests are transferred to the closed part of the ceremony, which will also last for three weeks. At this time, inside the temple various ceremonies are held, hidden from the gaze of the curious public.
Candadate is described in the Caitanya-Caritamrita, Madhya Lila, 4.106 :
"In the dream the deity told madhavendra Puri: "I have a Fever and did not pass. Please bring sandalwood that grows in the province of Malaya, cook it the cooling paste and amasti Me this paste".
Review:
The Gopāla deity held under the ground in the woods for many years, and although It was installed in the temple and washed with water from thousands of pitchers, He still was very hot. That's why Gopal asked madhavendra Puri to bring sandalwood from the Malaya province. Malay sandal is famous everywhere. Mala is located on the slopes of the Western Ghats, a mountain Nilagiri sometimes referred to as Malay mountain. Kavomania-ja means sandalwood, grown in the province of Mala. Sometimes Malay also called modern Malaysia. Early in this country, also grown sandalwood trees, but then people decided that it is more profitable to grow rubber trees. Although earlier in Malaysia was spread Vedic culture, now all its inhabitants Muslims. Now in Malaysia, Java and Indonesia's Vedic culture went into decline.
And it is important to note that Candinate is closely linked with another significant event. Rather, even the sandalwood "ice cream" foreshadows this event.
Anoint it with sandalwood paste of the deity Jagannath (Lord of Universe) in ancient Holy city of Jagannathpuri the construction of a new giant chariots* for holding of the Ratha Yatra, or Chariot Procession, which will begin in the summer.
Construction begin on Akatriel, with ritual fire worship before the king's Palace, Puri and in front of the temple.
* Recall that every year for the festival build a new chariot from special wood. After the festival the chariot is destroyed, and handing out pieces as Souvenirs. The main chariot of Jagannath reaches 13 meters in height and has 16 wheels with a diameter of 2 meters.