Puri: May 09:The abode of Lord Jagannath ‘Puri’ started celebrating Chandan Yatra from today. Idols of Madanamohana, Bhudebi, Sridebi and Ramkrushna participated in the yatra, after the rituals at noon as decided by the Sri Jagannath Temple Administration. Starting from Akshyaya Trutiya the festival will last for twenty-one days. The name of the festival is very symbolic as sandal paste popularly known as chandan and water are its inseparable constituents. Two new boats ‘Nanda and Bhadra’ have been built. Devotees will take decorated deities to the Narendra Sarobar at night in richly decorated palanquins. They will be accompanied by priests, musicians and dancers. Upon arrival, the idols will be placed on the decorated boats. These boats will be rowed then for a long time by the sevakas. Today is also the day, construction of chariots for world famous Rath Yatra begins.
