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Smearing body of the Lord with ointments is an act of devotion, and one of the best ointments is sandalwood paste (candana). This is specifically done during Candana Yatra festival. Candana yatra starts on Akshaya tritiya (third lunar day of the waxing moon of Vaisakha month), and continues for twenty days. Since the month of Vaisakha is very hot in India, the cooling effect of the sandalwood is very pleasing to body of the Lord.

Lord Jagannatha gave direct instruction to King Indradyumna to perform candana yatra festival. Candana Yatra is celebrated each year at Sri Jagannath Mandir, Rajapur in a very special way. Every day for 21 days, there is special dress and flower decoration for Their Lord Lordships . Sandalwood paste is applied all over the body of Lord Jagannatha leaving only his two eyes visible.

In addition, there’s a boat festival during which the utsava murtis (functional Deities - Vijay utsav) are taken on procession and are placed in a boat in Temple’s pond. This takes place in the evening and it is accompanied with kirtana, bhoga offering and prasadam distribution to visitors. To commemorate Candana yatra, Lord Caitanya also carried out water sports with His devotees. This year, the boat festival will take place on 4th and 5th May after Nrisimha Caturdasi celebration.

You all are invited to be part of these festivities at ISKCON Rajapur Temple. Even if you can’t make it personally, you can serve and please Their Lordships financially. You can do so by sponsoring candana, flowers, dress or boat decorations for Their Lordships. You may also sponsor prasadam distribution during boat festival time. The best day to do so is auspicious Akshaya Tritiya day (21st April) for whatever one does for Lord Krsna and His devotees on this day is considered more beneficial for the person and the benefit is eternal.

To know more about Sri Jagannatha Mandir at Rajapur, please visit https://www.mayapur.com/visit-mayapur/places-to-visit/jagannatha-mandir/

For any inquiry, you can call Sri Jagannath Mandir: 03472-245500, 9933954134, 9434635515.

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