Puri: The revered Bahara Chandan Yatra of Lord Jagannath is currently underway in Puri, with the festival entering its fourth day on Thursday. The annual celebration, which commenced on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, continues to attract large gatherings of devotees.
Ritual Water Activities at Narendra Pushkarini
As part of age-old traditions, ceremonial water rituals are being performed at Narendra Pushkarini. These rituals are believed to offer symbolic relief to the deities from the intense summer heat.
A large number of devotees gathered to witness the divine boat ride of Madanmohan, accompanied by Bhudevi and Sridevi, along with the Panchu Pandavas.
Unique Boat Ritual Tradition
The ritual water play is conducted using two separate boats—one painted red and the other white. Madanmohan, along with Bhudevi and Sridevi, is seated on the white boat, while Lord Ramakrushna and the Panchu Pandavas take part in the ceremony aboard the red boat.
Procession from Srimandir
The rituals begin with a ceremonial procession from the Jagannath Temple, where the representative idols are carried in palanquins known as Mani Bimana. Upon reaching Narendra Pushkarini, the boat festival officially begins.
The atmosphere at the venue is filled with devotion, as the sound of bells rung by servitors blends with chants of “Haribol” and traditional ululations by devotees, creating a spiritually vibrant environment.
The ongoing festivities continue to showcase Odisha’s rich religious traditions, drawing devotees from across the region to witness the sacred rituals.
