Festivals in Summer
A Comprehensive Guide to Śrī Vṛndāvana Dhāma
Summer
As the temperature rises toward summer, the Chandan Yatra is performed where from the Akshaya Tritiya for a period of 21 days the body of the Lord is anointed with scented sandalwood mixed with camphor, musk, saffron. As the sandalwood is applied to the body it immediately cools, but then there is a natural cycle that also follows with the heat naturally there is some perspiration, and as the perspiration again mixes with the sandalwood it is dried and cooled by even the slightest breeze creating a pleasant feeling like being covered with Talcum powder.
However, as the temperature increases just to be anointed with something cooling is not enough therefore on (or from for some sampradayas or temples) the Snana Purnima in the month of Jyestha (Trivikram Vaishnava mas) there is the ceremonial bathing of the Lord called Snana Yatra. Although it has become especially festive in Jagannath Puri the actual event originates in Vrndavana with the devotees bathing Krsna, and Balarama for their pleasure and then taking bath themselves too. Actually at this time there is no other solace than to bathe in some kind of pleasing water. All the temples of Vrndavan follow this festival, and many devotees follow a trail of pilgrimage from one temple to the next from early morning to late evening when the temperature lowers to about 35-40 degrees centigrade absorbed in the Snana rasa.
Sub-pages
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