Bhubaneswar: The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has once again allegedly insulted the traditional Jagannath culture by organizing untimely Rath Yatra in Australia and America.
According to Jagannath Culture, these events deviate from the scriptural dates and rituals followed at the Shri Jagannath Temple in Puri, thereby hurting the emotions of crores of Jagannath devotees worldwide.
The Odia Asmita Parishad has strongly condemned it. The Parishad had earlier staged a protest on November 16, 2024, and submitted a memorandum to the Governor and the Chief Minister of Odisha, highlighting the issue.
A few days ago, Puri Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb, the titular king of Puri and chairman of the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee, expressed his strong displeasure over ISKCON’s practice of holding Rath Yatra on non-traditional dates.
He described it as a “serious deviation” from scriptures and Jagannath traditions, warning of potential legal action and urging ISKCON to align with the established ritual calendar of Puri.
Despite these concerns, ISKCON reportedly continued with untimely Rath Yatra events in countries like Australia and America in recent times, reigniting the controversy.
Convener of the Odia Asmita Parishad, Ravi Behera, has now written a formal letter to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, urging the state government to take immediate and concrete steps to stop such “untimely” processions and protect the sanctity of Jagannath culture.
In addition to the appeal to the government, the Parishad has called upon the people of Odisha and millions of Jagannath devotees across the globe to observe a one-day mass fast as a mark of protest against what they term as an “insult and attack” on the rich Jagannath heritage.
