Chandan Yatra, a 21-day boating ritual of the lords, concludes in Puri

Puri, May 19 -- The Chandan Yatra, a twenty-one-day-long boating ritual dedicated to the deities, concluded on Monday with the observance known as Bhaunri.

As per tradition, Madanmohan-the representative idol of Lord Jagannath-along with Bhudevi, Shree Devi, Ramakrushna, and the Panch Mahadeva (five forms of Lord Shiva), commenced their ceremonial journey from the temple. The deities were carried in six separate palanquins along the Grand Road (Badadanda) to the Narendra Tank, located approximately 1.5 kilometer from the temple, for the boating ritual.

The palanquins, richly decorated, were borne on the shoulders of servitors known as Biman Badus. Leading the procession was a temple music ensemble playing devotional tunes from Geet Govind...