Though Puri Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb had written to the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) to abstain from an untimely Rath Yatra celebration in Houston on November 9, the international society is yet to announce its plans for the event.

In response to the development, Gajapati on Tuesday said that the untimely arrangement of the annual Rath Yatra is a deviation of tradition at Puri Srimandir and ISKCON should abstain from it as it will hurt the emotions of crores of Jagannath devotees across the globe.

“Though ISKCON withdrew its plans to hold the Snana Yatra of the Trinity on November 3, nothing has been announced about the conduct of Rath Yatra in Houston on November 9. It’s not good to break the tradition of Srimandir. Lord Jagannath should not be out of the temple except the regular Snana Yatra and Rath Yatra. It has been mentioned in Skanda Purana and Lord Jagannath himself has announced it. If ISKCON is interested in spreading ‘Vaishnav dharma’ across the globe, it’s good. However, they should give it another name and should not conduct untimely Rath Yatras and involve Lord Jagannath in it. It’s a deviation of Puri Srimandir tradition and it will hurt the sentiments of crores of Lord Jagannath’s devotees across the globe,” said Gajapati in a presser.

“ISKCON has been organising untimely Rath Yatras since 1969. After taking up the matter with them umpteen times, the festival is not organised in India anymore since 2021. However, it’s still continuing abroad and it’s a deviation of the age-old tradition,” he further said.

“We are in touch with the senior members and Swamijis of ISKCON. We have to wait for March when their governing council meeting will be held. Hopefully, they will accept our logic and stop untimely Rath Yatras across the globe as they believe in religion, ‘Shastra’ and the rituals. Odia people are very much patient and we have to keep patience for some more time. I am hopeful that they will accept the tradition. We want to solve the issue in a peaceful manner and in an amicable way. If it doesn’t happen, ‘enough is enough’. We will take legal recourse then,” he added.

Also Read: Rath Yatra: Rath Yatra: Resentment brews over untimely rolling out of chariot by ISKCON in US

ISKCON won’t go ahead with its plan to hold Rath Yatra: Odisha Law Minister

Meanwhile, throwing his weight behind Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb, Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said if someone attempts to distort and disrespect Jagannath culture necessary action will be taken. 

“When ISKCON’s schedule about the untimely Snana Yatra and Rath Yatra came out, Lord Jagannath’s devotees across the globe reacted and they were eager to watch the steps taken by Shree Jagannath Temple Administration in this regard. Following the development, the government proactively discussed the matter with the Chief Administrator of the temple administration. Earlier, Gajapati Maharaj had written a letter to ISKCON India headquarters and they had issued an advisory to conduct various festivals at its various centres as per the schedule of Puri Srimandir. It has also been circulated to all their centres across the globe. However, some deviations are occurring at some places and Gajapati Maharah has again written a letter to them in this regard. Though they withdrew their plan to hold the Snana Yatra of the Holy Trinity on November 3, nothing has been announced about the untimely Rath Yatra celebration which they call Festival of Bliss in Houston on November 9,” said Harichandan.

“The temple administration is clear over the matter that if Jagannath culture is distorted and disrespected at any place, action will be taken and we fully support Gajapati Maharaj’s view in this regard,” he added.