- By Kashish Rai
- Fri, 02 May 2025 04:19 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Chandan Yatra 2025: The vibrant celebration of Chandan Yatra in Vrindavan is celebrated for 21 days, beginning on Akshaya Tritiya and ending on Purnima (full moon day) in the Hindu month of Vaishakh. Throughout this span of 21 days, the deities are anointed with sandalwood paste as a part of a cherished custom. As the height of summer falls over Vrindavan, the Chandan Yatra festival stands as a testament to the immortality of the bond between the divine and devotees.
If you do not know why fragrant sandalwood paste or Chandan Lape is applied on the deities in Vrindavan during Chandan Yatra, you are at the right place. We have underlined the significance of this sacred ritual below:
Chandan Yatra 2025: Why Sandalwood Or Chandan Is Smeared On Deities In Vrindavan During Summer Months?
As per the sacred Hindu texts, Chandan Yatra came into existence after a divine pastime between Lord Krishna and Madhavendra Puri, a great Acharya of the Gaudiya Sampradaya. The legends suggest that Lord Krishna instructed him to apply sandalwood paste, called Malaya Chandan, on the Deity of Gopal to give relief from the scorching heat.
Preparations for Chandan Yatra start a week prior to Akshaya Tritiya, when devotees assemble to grind chandan on traditional stone slabs. Throughout the festival, the Deities are smeared with Chandan paste, offering a cooling effect and protection against the heat during peak summer months.
As a part of Chandan Yatra, Sandalwood is smeared on the deities of Shri Shri Krishna-Balaram of ISKCON Vrindavan. (Image Source: ISKCON Vrindavan)
As it is written in Sri Narada Purana, "Yatha Vishnoh Sadavishtam Naivedyat Shalisambhavam. Shukenoktam Purane ca tatha tulasi chandanam." Sri Narada Muni describes that Tulsi and sandalwood paste give delight to Sri Hari, similar to naivedya given to Him of sali rice. This ancient shloka indicates the importance of Chandan Yatra, during which sandalwood paste is applied to worship Lord Krishna and offer relief from heat. By anointing the Deities with Chandan, devotees attempt to provide comfort to their beloved Lord.
During Chandan Yatra, the temples of Vrindavan are beautifully decorated with flowers. Radha Shyamsundar Ji at ISKCON Vrindavan and Damodar Ji at Radha Damodar temple are adorned with sandalwood paste, whereas Radha Raman Ji is dressed in a beautiful garment smeared with Chandan paste. The Srinath Ji temple is also decorated with sandalwood. The gods are given a flower bungalow (fool bangla) and chandan ittar. Perfumed fountain water is also offered during the Jal Yatra. Traditional khas khas (vetiver) bungalows are made to shield the deities from the summer heat, offering a cooling effect. The celebrations highlight the rich cultural heritage and faith of Vrindavan, as the gods are worshipped with a variety of cooling and fragrant offerings, keeping them comfortable throughout the hot summer season.