OTV Exclusive: Puri Gajapati Maharaja slams ISKCON for violating ritual dates

Controversy reignited as the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) once again conducted Lord Jagannath’s Snana Yatra outside the prescribed ritual date, drawing sharp criticism from Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb of Puri. Accusing ISKCON of disrespecting the Jagannath tradition, he called for legal action and stricter oversight.

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According to sources, the ISKCON is once again under fire for organising Snana Yatra—a key ceremonial ritual of Lord Jagannath—on a date not sanctioned by scriptural traditions. This has drawn stern objection from Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, who addressed a strongly-worded letter to ISKCON’s governing body in Mayapuri, calling their actions a ‘disrespect’ to sacred Jagannath culture.

Earlier, the ISKCON had also conducted Rath Yatra on non-sanctioned dates in various international cities including Calgary and Toronto in Canada, and Leicester in London. Maharaja's latest letter underlines that such practices, outside the scripturally mandated Tithis (auspicious dates), are unacceptable and misleading about Jagannath traditions.

In a recent interview with OTV, the Gajapati Maharaja raised questions about ISKCON’s intentions, suggesting that their exclusion from the Jagannath Temple—owing to the entry ban on non-Hindus—might be influencing such deviations. He emphasised that if festivals like Janmastami and Shivratri are observed on exact Tithis, why should Lord Jagannath’s rituals be treated differently?

ISKCON’s actions are deliberate attempts!

Furthermore, former members of the temple managing committee and Sevayats (traditional priests) have demanded that ISKCON be taken to court of law, citing repeated violations and disregard for Puri’s spiritual authority. They argue that ISKCON’s actions are not mere oversight but deliberate attempts that border on religious distortion.

ISKCON’s justification that varying time zones and local logistics necessitate alternate dates has been rejected by Jagannath scholars, who, during a past consultation, had categorically dismissed such logic. A scholarly rebuttal draft is now being prepared to be handed to ISKCON leadership as a formal rejoinder.

Raising deeper concerns, Gajapati Maharaja questioned how a group that disrespects Jagannath's spiritual lineage can claim to be its follower. He also warned that any further disregard would no longer be tolerated and that legal channels may be pursued.

As discontent swells within the religious community, it remains to be seen how ISKCON will respond to the Gajapati Maharaja’s letter and whether corrective action will be taken ahead of Rath Yatra events scheduled across the globe.

“I request your good self to ensure that no ISKCON Temple or Centre anywhere in the world performs the Snana Yatra or Ratha Yatra of Lord Shri Jagannath on a date or Tithi not sanctioned by scriptures and tradition,” the Gajapati Maharaja wrote in his letter.