Puri

The ChandanYatra or the Sandal Festival lasting over 42 days, is an important festival next to the Car Festival and SnanaYatra. It is observed both inside and outside the temple. The part of the festival outside the temple is called Bhahara Chandana or outer Chandana which lasts for 21 days…

On the 13th and 14th day of the bright fortnight in the month of Chaitra (April), the Damanaka Chori Festival is observed. On this occasion the deities, Rama and Krushna march in a procession to the flower garden, called JagannathVallabha Matha from where they steal the tender leaves of the Dayana. The next day, these leaves are offered to deities in great solemnity. References: http://magazines.odisha.gov.in/Orissareview/2016/July/engpdf/83-85.pdf

The famous Dola Yatra is celebrated from the 10th day of the month of Phalguna (Feb-Mar) up to the full moon day of Phalguna. On Phalguna Purnima, the image of Lord Dolagobinda representing Jagannath Mahaprabhu along with Devi Lakshmi and Devi Saraswati is taken in a procession to a dais called Dola Bedi, located outside the main temple and special neetis are performed. References: http://magazines.odisha.gov.in/Orissareview/2016/July/engpdf/83-85.pdf

This festival is observed on the full moon day of Pusa month, for this day coincides with the coronation of Lord Rama in Ayodhya, hence this is also called Ramabhisheka. The deities are attired in a Suna Besha (gold attire) on this day. References: http://magazines.odisha.gov.in/Orissareview/2016/July/engpdf/83-85.pdf

This festival is observed on the sixth day of the bright fortnight of Margasira. From this day Ghodalagi of the deities begins and the bodies of the deities are covered with color woolen cloth specific for these days till Magha Sukla Panchami or Basanta Panchami, i.e. the fifth day of Basanta References: http://magazines.odisha.gov.in/Orissareview/2016/July/engpdf/83-85.pdf https://www.shreejagannatha.in/major-festivals/

This festival occurs on the 11th day of the bright fortnight (Sukla Paksha) of Kartika when the deities finally wake up from their sleep of four months (the Chaturmasya of rains). References: http://magazines.odisha.gov.in/Orissareview/2016/July/engpdf/83-85.pdf

On the 11th day of the bright fortnight of Bhadraba month, Lord Vishnu who’s in his celestial slumber turn over to the other side. After the Bhoga Mandapa is over, Mahasnana and Chandana Lagi of the three deities are performed. After dressing them up in new clothes, Sarbanga and Bada Singhara bhoga are performed. After these, the seal on the Khataseja Ghara (bedroom) is broken, for the purpose of turning sides of the deity, the box is then opened. The sleeping God is offered white flowers, then turned to face North as he was facing South before that.

Similar to the Dakshinayana Yatra, this festival is also based on the movement of the sun and is celebrated every year on Makar Sankranti. It is on the day of Makar Sankranti that the sun starts to move towards the Northern hemisphere from the house of Cancer to the Capricorn in astronomical references. For Lord Jagannath, a special preparation of pre-soaked raw rice mixed with ghee, jaggery, spices, etc. known as Makara Chaula is offered as bhoga to Lord Jagannath, and this is taken out as a procession around the temple — the Makara Badha.