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Chandan Yatra is another interesting festival celebrated in Orissa, the state of India. The Chandan Yatra also called as Gandhalepana yatra is the longest festival celebrated at the famous Jagannath temple. Chandan yatra which in Sanskrit means sandalwood voyage lasts for 42 days is celebrated in two parts Bahara Chandana and Bhitara Chandana. The yatra starts on the third lunar day of the waxing moon of Vaisakha month and continues for twenty one days. The Bahara chandana starts from Akshaya Tritiya. The construction of the chariots for the annual Rath Yatra festival also starts from Akshaya Tritiya.
In the first half of the festival, the main deities of the Jagannath temple along with the five Shivalingas known as the Pancha Pandava are taken from the Singhadwara or the Lion Gate of the Jagannath temple at Puri to the Narendra Tirtha tank. Various rituals are performed to the deities in the boats during the festival.
In the next half of the festival, various other rituals are performed inside the temple only. the playful rides are performed here on the four days including the day of Amavasya, the full moon night, on the Shashti and the Ekadashi of the bright fort night.