Bhubaneswar: The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) cancelled its plan to observe Rath Yatra in Houston, USA, following widespread resentment among devotees, servitors and Puri Gajapati Dibyasingh Deb.
ISKCON said in a statement that it respects the sentiments of Lord Jagannath devotees. Instead of Rath Yatra, ISKCON will hold Gour Nitai Sankirtan Yatra.
Earlier in the day, Gajapati Maharaja urged ISKCON to refrain from organizing Rath Yatra or other Lord Jagannath festivals violating Shastric injunctions. Despite ISKCON cancelling Snana Yatra in Houston on Nov 3, Deb expressed concern over their plans to proceed with Rath Yatra on Nov 9.
As per the tradition, the idol of Lord Jagannath and his Holy Siblings should not be taken out of the temple except only on two occasions, the annual Snana Yatra (birth anniversary of Lord Jagannath) and Rath Yatra. It has been mentioned in Skanda Purana and Lord Jagannath himself has given directions in this regard.
