About Narendra Tank
Narendra Tank is one of the largest and holiest tanks in Puri, Odisha, located northeast of the Shree Jagannath Temple. This large artificial sacred tank covers several acres and features ghats and a small island shrine called Chandana Mandapa. Built in the 15th century, it is renowned for hosting the annual Chandana Yatra boat festival of Lord Jagannath and is considered highly sacred by pilgrims.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect a large rectangular sacred water tank with stone ghats on all sides and a small temple structure on an island in the centre connected by a bridge. The surroundings are open and relatively quiet outside festival periods, with pilgrims taking holy dips and offering prayers. During Chandana Yatra, the tank becomes active with decorated boats carrying the deities. The area is accessible for walking around the perimeter and viewing the tank and shrine.
Key highlights
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One of the largest sacred tanks in Odisha and the largest in Puri
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Central island shrine Chandana Mandapa connected by a bridge
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Venue for the 21-day Chandana Yatra and Chapa Khela boat festival of Shree Jagannath Temple
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Holy bathing ghats used by pilgrims throughout the year
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Historic 15th-century tank associated with Gajapati kings
History of Narendra Tank
Narendra Tank is believed to have been constructed in the 15th century during the reign of the Gajapati kings of Odisha. It is regarded as one of the most important historic water bodies created for temple rituals and urban water management in the temple town of Puri.
Culture & Context
The tank holds great religious importance for devotees of Lord Jagannath. It is the venue for the annual Chandana Yatra, when the representative deities of the Jagannath Temple are taken in a ceremonial boat procession (Chapa Khela) for 21 days. Bathing in the tank is considered sacred, and the Chandana Mandapa shrine on the island is central to the rituals.
Route
| By air |
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