The Chandan Yatra, the 21-day water sport summer festival of Shree Jagannath, concluded on Sunday with observance of the Haldipani ritual of the deities during their bathing at the Narendra Puskarini (pond).
The Bhaunri ritual had been observed in a grand way on Saturday night when the deities in their ceremonial boat ride went round the Narendra tank, the venue of the festival, for twenty-one times.
On Monday, the deities were given aromatic and sandalwood paste bath and then taken to the boats for ride before returning to the temple in the manner they came.
Everyday Madanmohan, the representing idol of Shree Jagannath along Bhudevi, Sridevi, Ramakrushna and Panch Pandavas came out of the main temple in their individual palanquins in a ceremonial procession while Madanmohan was seated atop the Mani Biman, a specially- decorated palanquin with swinging action carried by servitors over their shoulders to the Narendra tank to enjoy the boat ride. After enjoying the cool ride the deities returned to the main temple late in the night.
Also as per the tradition, many youths of various Jagaghars (schools of martial arts) also accompanied the procession. Odissi songs and display of fireworks added colour to the festival, which was attended by hundreds of devotees every evening.
From Monday onwards, the deities would be participating in another 21-day Chandan Yatra inside the temple complex known as Bhitar Chandan.