Shree Jagannath Temple authorities in Puri have urged ISKCON to stop conducting ‘Rath Yatra’ and ‘Snan Yatra’ on random dates, calling it a violation of scriptures. Gajapati Maharaja Dibya Singha Deb, Chairman of the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee in Puri, has written to ISKCON on the matter.
Gajapati Maharaja of Puri, Dibyasingha Deb, in a strong statement, issued an ultimatum to the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), demanding an immediate cessation of their unauthorised Rath Yatra and Snana Yatra celebrations.
The Gajapati’s directive comes with a clear deadline – ISKCON must take corrective action within one month or face legal consequences.
The Gajapati Maharaja has accused ISKCON of deviating from established tradition and rituals for the past 50 years, a practice he states will no longer be tolerated.
“…We find that in many ISKCON temples, both in India and abroad, Rath Yatra is being celebrated almost at random, at any time of the year. This is completely in violation of sacred scriptures and tradition. Therefore, we have initiated a dialogue with ISKCON, urging them to follow the proper tradition and scriptures…”, he said.
He stated that a formal letter in this regard as been sent to the Mayapur authority, urging immediate corrective action. Emphasizing that if ISKCON authorities fail to take proper steps within a month, Gajapati Maharaj said legal action will be initiated to ensure adherence to tradition.
The royal directive aims to preserve the sanctity and tradition of the Puri Rath Yatra and Snana Yatra as per established customs, discouraging parallel celebrations by other organizations.
He pointed out that while ISKCON’s founder, Srila Prabhupada, initially organized these festivals according to the proper rituals and ‘tithi’ (auspicious time), the adherence to the tradition was lost after 1977. The Maharaja noted that ISKCON has conducted Rath Yatras in 68 locations this year alone, all of which were celebrated on the wrong dates.
“But those have not been celebrated as per the ‘Tithi’ provided in the ‘Shastra’. Starting from March 1, they have been celebrating Rath Yatra at many places across the globe in every month,” said the Gajapati Maharaja said.
Emphasizing the importance of religious observance as per established customs, the Gajapati Maharaja urged ISKCON to celebrate festivals like the Rath Yatra in the same way they celebrate Sri Krishna Janmashtami—on the correct ‘tithi’ as prescribed by the ‘Shastra’ (religious scriptures).
SJTA chief administrator Arabinda Padhee said a formal letter detailing the Gajapati’s stance has been sent via email and courier to ISKCON’s governing council in Mayapur, West Bengal. While the Gajapati Maharaja hopes for an amicable resolution through discussion, he has made it clear that legal action remains an option if the traditional customs are not honoured
“Snana Yatra and Rath Yatra can only be celebrated as per the tradition. The logic provided by ISKCON was wrong and against tradition and the shastras,” stated Padhee.
