Sri Prahlada Narasimha, HK Hill
Sri Lakshmi Narasimha, VK Hill

Chandan Yatra is observed in the summer every year. On this occasion, the Deity of the Lord is smeared with Chandan (sandalwood paste) to relieve Him of the severe heat of the summer.

The celebration of this festival among the Gaudiya Vaishnavas is linked to a beautiful pastime of Lord Krishna with Sri Madhavendra Puri, one of the exalted acharyas of this sampradaya.

Madhavendra Puri installed and worshipped Sri Gopala’s Deity in the holy land of Vrindavana with great care and devotion. Once, on a hot summer day, Sri Gopala appeared in Madhavendra Puri’s dream and asked him to smear His body with sandalwood paste to alleviate the heat and to bring Malaya sandalwood from Jagannatha Puri. To carry out the order of His dear Lord, Madhavendra Puri immediately set out for Puri on foot and brought sandalwood from there to apply it to Sri Gopala’s body.

Sri Gopala was immensely pleased with Madhavendra Puri for carrying out his service without consideration of personal inconveniences and impediments during his journey. The Lord wanted to show how intensely Madhavendra Puri loved Krishna; therefore, He asked him to go to Jagannatha Puri to fetch sandalwood and camphor. When Madhavendra Puri passed this examination, the Lord became very merciful to him.

Continuing the tradition of this sweet pastime illustrating the intense devotional feelings and dedication of Madhavendra Puri for the Lord, devotees at ISKCON temples, as well as many temples in Vrindavan, smear the Deity with sandalwood paste every year during summer.

The Supreme Lord is self-sufficient. He doesn’t require anyone’s service. He maintains all living beings and supplies all their necessities. Yet, He is pleased when His devotees engage in His loving devotional service, by which they make advancement on the path of devotional service. Chandan Yatra is a great opportunity for devotees to serve the Lord by grinding Chandan for Him.

At ISKCON Bangalore, the Chandan Yatra is celebrated from Shukla Ekadashi (the eleventh day of the bright fortnight) in the month of Vaishakha until the day preceding Sri Narasimha Jayanti. These days, Sri Prahlada Narasimha at ISKCON Sri Radha Krishna Temple and Sri Lakshmi Narasimha at ISKCON Vaikuntha Hill are adorned in Chandana Alankara.

We invite you to visit our temples on this occasion to have the darshan of Lord Narasimha in this special alankara and seek His blessings.

Click Here to Watch Chandan Alankara darshan of Lord Narasimha.

Chandana Alankara Seva is performed for Lord Srinivasa Govinda, where the Lord gives darshan in a special alankara, anointed with sandalwood paste to keep Him cool in summer. Don’t miss this opportunity to sponsor this special seva to the Lord.