Gajapati Maharaja Objects to ISKCON’s ‘Off-Schedule’ Rath Yatras; Srimandir Administration to Approach President, PM

Puri: The administration of the Shree Jagannath Temple and the temple’s managing committee have strongly objected to the conduct of Rath Yatras and Snana Yatras by International Society for Krishna Consciousness on dates different from those prescribed by tradition. The committee has decided to take up the matter with Droupadi Murmu and Narendra Modi.

       During a meeting of the temple management committee held on Friday, members, including Divyasingha Deb, expressed strong displeasure over ISKCON’s continued observance of what they described as “off-schedule” Rath Yatras, particularly those organised outside India. The committee also discussed measures to prevent such events from being conducted in deviation from the traditional calendar.

        Chief Administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Aravind Padhee, said a delegation of the management committee would meet the President and the Prime Minister after the conclusion of the upcoming Rath Yatra and Niladri Bije. The delegation plans to submit a memorandum seeking intervention to stop Rath Yatras being organised on dates other than those traditionally prescribed.

       Padhee stated that if information is received about any organisation conducting such “off-schedule” Rath Yatras within India, administrative measures would be taken to prevent them. He added that the temple administration had recently succeeded in stopping a few such events, a development welcomed by the committee.

According to the SJTA, despite repeated consultations and advisories, ISKCON has not fully aligned its observances with the traditions followed at the Puri temple. The administration maintains that both Snana Yatra and Rath Yatra should be celebrated strictly on the dates prescribed by religious scriptures and long-standing customs.

Officials argued that as the Puri Jagannath Temple is regarded as the principal seat of Lord Jagannath’s traditions, other temples and organisations should follow the ritual calendar observed there. The administration further claimed that several rounds of discussions had been held with ISKCON representatives on the issue.

         While an understanding was reportedly reached regarding the discontinuation of off-schedule Snana Yatras and Rath Yatras in India, the practice is said to continue in some overseas locations. The temple administration alleged that several communications sent by the Gajapati Maharaja and temple authorities in this regard had not been fully complied with.

        The management committee asserted that preserving the sanctity of Jagannath culture and traditions requires adherence to the practices of the original seat at Puri. It also expressed concern that deviations from established traditions could hurt the religious sentiments of millions of Lord Jagannath devotees across the world.