Bhubaneswar: The Chief Administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Puri, has written to the District Magistrate of Ferozepur, Punjab, requesting immediate intervention to prevent the Jagannath Mandir at Ferozepur Cantonment from conducting Ratha Yatra on May 23.
In a formal letter addressed to Deepshikha Sharma, Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Magistrate of Ferozepur, the Chief Administrator Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhee has strongly objected to the proposed celebration of Ratha Yatra aforementioned date.
According to the letter, the traditional and scripturally prescribed date for Ratha Yatra this year is July 16, 2026. The administration has cautioned that observing the sacred festival on any other date is likely to hurt the religious sentiments of millions of devotees of Lord Jagannath across the country and abroad.
The letter states that the Shree Jagannatha Temple Managing Committee, headed by the Gajapati Maharaja of Puri, has consistently opposed such premature celebrations of Ratha Yatra in the past as well. The Chief Administrator has requested the District Magistrate to take appropriate steps to ensure that the Jagannath Mandir in Ferozepur Cantonment does not conduct the Ratha Yatra on 23 May and adheres strictly to the traditional calendar followed by the Moola Pitha — Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri.
“Your timely intervention in this matter will help uphold the sanctity of this revered festival and preserve the religious sentiments of countless devotees,” read the letter.
