Bhubaneswar: The district administration of Sikar in Rajasthan has decided not to allow the observance of an untimely Rath Yatra, following a strong objection raised by the Shree Jagannath Temple administration in Puri.
According to reports, the Rath Yatra was scheduled to be held in Sikar today by Vishwa Sanatan Dharma Seva Sansthan and Khatu Shyam Mandal. However, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration wrote to the Sikar District Collector on July 8, requesting that the event be stopped.
In the letter, the Puri administration urged that Rath Yatra be observed only as per the traditional tithi and customs of Sanatan Dharma. It also wrote to the Chief Secretary of Rajasthan on the matter.
Acting on the communication, Sikar District Magistrate Ashish Modi on July 8 issued directions to prevent the untimely observance of Rath Yatra. In the order, the Sikar administration asked the Sub-Divisional Officer of Danta Ramgarh to take necessary action and ensure that the Rath Yatra is not held outside the prescribed religious calendar. Besides, the concerned authorities have been asked to adhere to Sanatan tradition and hold the Rath Yatra only on the designated date.
The Puri administration had earlier stated that holding Rath Yatra on a date other than the one prescribed in the Hindu calendar violates established religious practices and traditions associated with the festival.
