Bhubaneswar: Puri Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb on Sunday issued a firm directive to all ISKCON temples worldwide, instructing them to strictly observe the Snana Yatra and Rath Yatra festivals on dates sanctioned by ancient scriptures.
In a formal communication addressed to the Chairman of the ISKCON Governing Body Commission at Mayapur Shree Govardhan Das Prabhu, Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb expressed concern over several ISKCON centers outside India celebrating these revered festivals on unauthorized dates, which deviate from the time-honored scriptural calendar.
The directive follows a detailed review conducted by learned scholars of the Jagannatha Temple Administration in Puri during a meeting held in Bhubaneswar on March 20, 2025.
The scholars reaffirmed that Snana-yatra must be celebrated exclusively on Jyestha-poornima Tithi — which falls on June 11 this year — while Ratha-yatra, including Gundicha-yatra and Bahuda-yatra, should be observed strictly within the nine-day period from Asadha Shukla Paksha Dwitiya Tithi (June 27) to Asadha Shukla Paksha Dashami Tithi (July 5).
— Shree Jagannatha Temple Office, Puri (@SJTA_Puri) June 15, 2025
Any celebrations outside this prescribed window are deemed a violation of sacred tradition and scriptural injunctions.
“Performance of these most sacred Yatras of the Lord on any other tithi/date will be a violation of our sacred scriptures and ancient well-established tradition. The detailed explanations in this matter submitted by our Scholars will be sent to you shortly,” the letter stated.
Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb has urged the ISKCON Governing Body to ensure that all affiliated temples and centers worldwide adhere strictly to these dates, preserving the sanctity and authenticity of the Jagannatha festivals.
“In view of the above, I request your good-self to ensure that no ISKCON Temple or Centre anywhere in the world performs the Snana-yatra or Ratha-yatra of Lord Shree Jagannatha on a date/tithi not sanctioned by scriptures and tradition, as mentioned above,” the letter added.
Detailed guidelines and scholarly explanations from the Puri temple authorities are expected to be communicated to ISKCON leadership shortly.
