ISKCON’s untimely Rath Yatra plan: Puri Shankaracharya expresses displeasure 

Expressing displeasure over the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)’s Houston unit’s untimely Rath Yatra plan, Puri Shankaracharya, Swami Nischalananda Saraswati said such deliberate intention of violating tradition is not going to help them in any manner.

Speaking to the media, Swami Nischalananda Saraswati said, “There should be a harmony between tradition and emotions; only then only one can achieve success. This is also mentioned in Bhagavad Gita.”

“They (ISKCON) know the ritual. Their act is just a stunt to gain popularity. This is not going to benefit them in any manner. They are deliberately violating the tradition. This will only lead them to failure,” the Puri seer added.

Earlier yesterday, Puri Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb wrote letters to the chairman of the governing body commission, ISKCON Mayapuri and the president of ISKCON temple, Houston, asking them to cancel the Rath Yatra scheduled to be held on November 9.

Drawing a parallel between Janmasthami and Rath Yatra, he in his letter said the festivals of Lord Jagannath, like those of Lord Krishna, must be celebrated uniformly throughout the world (and not only in India) in accordance with scriptures and tradition.

Notably, the Houston unit of ISKCON has been accused of tarnishing the Jagannath Culture by organising untimely ‘Snana Yatra’ and ‘Rath Yatra’ in the US.

As per a release published on the website of the Houston unit of ISKCON, the international society is planning to organise 'Snana Yatra' of the Holy Trinity on November 3, and hold the Rath Yatra on November 9.

This attempt by the ISKCON to hold the divine rituals of Lord Jagannath and his siblings untimely has sparked resentment among the devotees.