From Mandapa to Narendra Pokhari: Musical Traditions of Chandana Yatra in Puri

The Chandana Yatra of Jagannath Temple represents one of the most culturally layered ritual festivals of Odisha, integrating devotion, procession, water ritual, performative traditions and sacred music into a living heritage system. This paper examines the musical traditions associated with Chandana Yatra, tracing their movement from the ritual mandapas of the temple to the ceremonial performances at Narendra Pokhari. Through a musicological and ethnographic perspective, the study investigates the role of Odishi music, temple ritual songs, Gita Govinda traditions, percussion ensembles and community participation in shaping the sonic identity of the festival. The paper also analyses how ritual space transforms musical meaning and how Chandana Yatra functions as a medium of continuity for Jagannath culture. Drawing upon secondary sources, oral traditions and cultural interpretations, the study argues that the festival serves not merely as a ritual observance but as a dynamic repository of Odisha’s intangible musical heritage.