Why the Jagannath Temple Committee is Urging ISKCON to Follow Tradition
Concerns Raised Over Ritual Dates
Bhubaneswar: The Managing Committee of the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, has reached out to ISKCON, requesting adherence to the specific dates for Lord Jagannath's ceremonial bathing and Rath Yatra as dictated by religious texts, emphasizing the importance of tradition.
Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, who chairs the committee, expressed his dissatisfaction regarding certain ISKCON temples globally that have been conducting the sacred bathing rituals ('Snana Yatra') and Rath Yatra on varying dates, which he claims contravenes both scriptures and the Hindu calendar.
In his correspondence with Shree Govardhan Das Prabhu, the chairman of the ISKCON Governing Body Commission in Mayapur, Deb stated, “I urge you to ensure that no ISKCON temple or center worldwide conducts the 'Snana Yatra' or 'Ratha Yatra' of Lord Shree Jagannath on dates not sanctioned by our scriptures and traditions.”
He further asserted that ISKCON temples outside India are celebrating the 'Snana Yatra' and Rath Yatra on dates that are not recognized in their sacred texts.
Deb included documentation of announcements made by ISKCON temples regarding these events.
He highlighted that deviations have been noted in ISKCON temples located in New York City, Calgary, and Leicester.
In his letter, Deb mentioned that the learned scholars from the Shree Jagannatha Temple Administration in Puri had thoroughly reviewed the perspectives presented by ISKCON scholars during a meeting in Bhubaneswar on March 20, 2025.
The scholars concluded that the 'Snana Yatra' should only be celebrated on Jyestha Poornima Tithi (June 11 this year), while the Ratha Yatra (including Gundicha Yatra and Bahuda Yatra) is to occur within the auspicious nine days from Asadha Shukla-paksha Dwitiya Tithi (June 27 this year) to Asadha Shukla-paksha Dashami Tithi (July 5 this year).
“Conducting these sacred yatras on any other date would violate our sacred scriptures and ancient traditions,” the titular king of Puri emphasized.
In his communication to ISKCON, Deb, who serves as the first servitor of Lord Jagannath, also mentioned that detailed explanations from their scholars would be forwarded shortly.