Candana yatra starts on the third lunar day of the waxing moon of
Vaisakha month, and continues for twenty days. Lord Jagannatha gave
direct instructions to King Indradyumna to perform this festival at
this time. Smearing the body of the Lord with ointments is an act
of devotion, and the best of ointments is sandalwood paste. Since
the month of Vaisakha is very hot in India, the cooling effect of
the sandalwood is very pleasing to the body of the Lord.
Sandalwood paste is applied all over the body of Jagannatha leaving
only his two eyes visible. The utsava murtis (functional Deities -
Vijay utsav) are taken on procession and are placed in a boat in
the temple pond. To commemorate this festival, Lord Caitanya also
carried out water sports with his devotees.
