Chandan Yatra: Celebrated from Akshaya Tritiya onwards

ISKCON Juhu marked the onset of the sacred Chandan Yatra on Akshaya Tritiya, a day that heralds auspicious beginnings and spiritual prosperity. For 21 blessed days, the temple’s Deities were lovingly anointed with freshly hand-ground sandalwood paste, offering divine relief from the summer heat.

The first day was especially captivating as all the Deities were dressed in ornate flower outfits—a rare annual tradition where cloth attire is replaced by vibrant floral designs. Devotees dedicated themselves wholeheartedly, spending days grinding chandan by hand and preparing these stunning offerings with love and devotion.

Adding to the celebration was the Mango Festival, where the altar and Deity rooms were tastefully decorated with ripe, fragrant mangoes, celebrating nature’s summer bounty as an offering to the Lord. The combination of sandalwood aroma and fresh mangoes created a devotional atmosphere of unmatched bliss.

Rooted in the ancient pastime of Srila Madhavendra Puri, who applied sandalwood paste to Sri Gopal in Vrindavan to soothe Him from heat, this festival continues to inspire deep personal devotion and selfless service. Thousands of devotees thronged the temple daily for this rare darshan, immersing themselves in the mood of loving surrender and festive joy.