Chandan Yatra

Chandan Yatra marks the start of the summer season and is celebrated for 21 days. The festival starts on Akshaya Tritiya and ends on the full moon day of Vaishakha month. To keep the Deities cool during the scorching summer heat, devotees apply sandalwood paste (chandana) over Sri Sri Gandharvika Giridhari, Sri Sri Lakshmi Narasimhadeva and other Deities. 

All devotees, including children and pilgrims are offered a chance to grind chandana for the pleasure of the Deities. After the beginning of Chandan Yatra, Their Lordships (both large deities and small deities) are completely covered in chandan on the first, second and third Sundays. The remaining days chandan is applied only to Their Lordships’ foreheads. 

Bhagavan is self-sufficient and not dependent on anyone’s service. He is the provider and maintainer of all living entities. Still, because of His causeless mercy, He allows devotees the opportunity to serve Him in His Deity form. Chandan Yatra serves as a wonderful opportunity for the devotees to lovingly do chandan seva for the Lord and thus make spiritual advancement.