Preparations Begin for Chandan Yatra 2026 in Puri with Retrieval of Ceremonial Boats

Puri: The sacred Narendra Pond in Puri witnessed a traditional ritual on Chaitra Purnima as Bhoi servitors retrieved five ceremonial boats, including Nanda, Bhadra, and Baijayantri.

This marks the beginning of preparations for the annual Chandan Yatra, one of the most significant festivals of Lord Jagannath.

The boats will undergo repairs before being used for the divine water sports (Jala Krida) of Lord Jagannath and his siblings during the festival. After the rituals, the boats will be ceremonially broken and re‑immersed in the pond.

The Chandan Yatra, also known as the Sandalwood Voyage, is celebrated in two phases: the 21‑day Bahara Chandana Yatra beginning on Akshaya Tritiya, followed by the 21‑day Bhitara Chandana Yatra.

During the festival, the moving idols (Chalanti Pratima) of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra, Bhudevi, Shridevi, and the Pancha Pandava are carried in palanquins from Singhadwara to Narendra Pokhari.

They are then placed on beautifully decorated boats for evening cruises, symbolising the Lord’s playful water sports to find relief from the summer heat.

The retrieval of the boats signals the start of elaborate rituals that blend devotion, tradition, and cultural heritage, drawing thousands of devotees and tourists to Puri each year.