By Dhirnayaka Dasa (Padayatra leader)
Chandan Yatra marks the start of the summer season in Vrindavan and is celebrated for 21 days. The festival starts on Akshaya Tritiya and ends on the full moon day of Vaishakha month. This years the dates were 23 April to 14 May 2023.
During the auspicious ChandanYatra, all the devotees anoint the Deities with sandalwood paste. It is among the most sacred Yatra in India. Candana Yatra is a festival during the hot season in India in which the Deities are covered with sandalwood paste (candana) to cool Them. Apart from the eyes, the sandalwood paste is applied all over the body of Lord.
For 21 days with the Utsava Vigrahas covered in chandan. The Deities are covered completely with chandan(sandalwood paste), which provides the Lord relief from the scorching heat of summer in the month of Vaisakha/Jyestha (May/June).
We padayatris also celebrated Chandan Yatra and applied sandalwood to our deties. Ours is a moving temple. Their Lordships leaving all the comforts of the temple moves on a chariot tolerating all the seasons.
Summer is going on and the temple is increasing day by day. So the chandan yatra gave some relief to Their Lordships.
Chandan yatra ki jai
