Bhubaneswar: Puri Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb on Saturday strongly criticized International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) for organizing Rath Yatra and Snana Yatra on dates/tithis not sanctioned in our sacred scriptures, calling the practice a distortion of Lord Jagannath’s traditions.
Addressing a press conference, the Gajapati Maharaja revealed that a 100-page report has been sent to ISKCON’s headquarters in Mayapur, West Bengal, highlighting the irregularities. A response from ISKCON is awaited.
He noted that while ISKCON initially followed Puri’s traditions when Rath Yatra began abroad 50 years ago, deviations have steadily crept in.
“In 2021, ISKCON resolved that Rath Yatra in India would strictly follow Puri’s calendar. Yet, this year alone, untimely Rath Yatras were organized at 68 locations abroad and several within India,” he said.
Similar violations were flagged for Snana Yatra, with ISKCON reportedly conducting the ritual at 40 locations in India before the prescribed date. Despite repeated objections and letters, the practice has continued.
“A proposal has been placed to ensure Lord Jagannath’s Snana Yatra is observed only on Jyestha Purnima and Rath Yatra on the second day of Ashadha Shukla Paksha. ISKCON must take corrective steps,” the Gajapati Maharaja stressed.
After a long debate, the ISKCON has been conducting the ‘Rath Yatra’ on the stipulated day within India, “but the violations are continuing across the world”, Deb said.
“We hope they will correct their mistakes soon. We have all options open, including legal recourse. But, we urge them not to force us to take such steps,” he added.
Shree Jagannath Temple Chief Administrator Dr. Arabinda Padhee, also present, said such untimely rituals are unacceptable. He revealed that ISKCON had conducted 18 Snana Yatras before Puri’s own this year. “Both in India and abroad, Rath Yatra and Snana Yatra must be observed on the same day as in Puri,” he asserted.
