Bhubaneswar: Padma Shri awardee and internationally acclaimed sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik has voiced deep concern over the timing of the Ratha Yatra (Chariot Festival) organized by ISKCON Toronto, stating that it deviates from the sacred tithi (auspicious lunar date) followed by the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri.
In a post on his X handle, Pattnaik quoted a message from the Consulate General of India in Toronto highlighting the vibrant celebrations, which included Consul General Mahavir Singh joining thousands of devotees in colorful processions through downtown Toronto.
He made a humble appeal to the Consulate General of India in Toronto and the High Commission of India in Canada to advise the organizers to observe the Rath Yatra festival as per traditional Tithi and rituals of Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri.
“Jai Jagannath. It is deeply disheartening for many devotees to see @iskcon Toronto organizing the Ratha Yatra without observing the sacred Tithi followed by Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri. The Shree Jagannath Temple administration @SJTA_Puri has repeatedly communicated this matter to the organizers #ISKCON over the years”, read his post.
He further wrote: “My humble request to the Consulate General of India in Toronto and the High Commission of India in #Canada is to kindly advise the organizers to observe the traditional Tithi and rituals of Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri. This would help preserve the sanctity, authenticity, and centuries-old tradition of this sacred festival for devotees across the world.”
This latest expression of discontent comes amid similar appeals by Pattnaik regarding ISKCON-organized Ratha Yatra events in other countries, such as Kenya and the United States, where dates reportedly did not align with Puri’s traditional calendar. He has previously urged India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and Indian diplomatic missions to encourage adherence to the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration’s (SJTA) guidelines.
