Akshaya Tritiya / Chandan Yatra Begins (21-day sandalwood festival)
Lord Jagannath, Madanmohan (vijay-vigraha)
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Akshaya Tritiya — the start of the 42-day Chandan Yatra at the Jagannath temple, Puri. The vijay-vigrahas are bathed in cooling sandalwood paste and taken on boats at Narendra Tank for water-sports each evening. The new chariots for Ratha Yatra are begun today.
Dates 2026–2027
Mantra
ॐ श्री जगन्नाथाय नमः।
Om Sri Jagannathaya namah
Salutations to Sri Jagannath, Lord of the Universe, beginning of the akshaya (imperishable) sandalwood festival.
How to recite
On Akshaya Tritiya, begin the Chandan Yatra — for 21 days, the vijay-vigrahas of Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Madanmohan are taken on decorated boats (chapas) to the Narendra Tirtha tank for evening sandalwood-paste-bathed water-sports. The first 21 days are the bahara chandana (outer phase) followed by 21 days of bhitara chandana (inner phase) inside the temple. Begin construction of the new chariots (rathas) for Ratha Yatra on this day.
Benefits
Akshaya Tritiya marks the start of Chandan Yatra and chariot-construction at Puri — every act on this day is akshaya (never diminishing). Sandalwood paste cools the deities through the hot summer; the water-sports symbolise Vishnu's sport in the cosmic ocean.
✦ Special Note
Per Drik Panchang. Vaishakha Shukla Tritiya / Akshaya Tritiya 2026: April 20. 2027: May 9. The 21-day bahara chandana phase runs publicly at Narendra Tank; the bhitara chandana that follows is inside the temple.
Foods Allowed
Foods to Avoid
Meal Idea
Khira-mohana, chhena-poda, rasagola, sandalwood-scented sweet rice, coconut-water — all cooling preparations.
Related vrats
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- Jhulan Yatra (5-day swing festival of Madanmohan) — July 29, 2026Same tradition and category
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