Puri Gajapati Maharaja issues strong warning to ISKCON against untimely Rath Yatra and Snana Yatra

In a firm stance, Gajapati Maharaja of Puri, Dibyasingha Deb, on Saturday sent a stern message to the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), opposing their continued conduct of Rath Yatra and Snana Yatra outside traditional customs. 

The Gajapati stated that ISKCON has been wrongly organizing these festivals for the past 50 years, and such practices will no longer be tolerated.

A formal letter has been sent to the Mayapur authority, urging immediate corrective action. The Gajapati Maharaja emphasized that if ISKCON authorities fail to take proper steps within a month, 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. 

"There will be no doubt in your mind about what a huge mistake is being made. It has been continuing for the last 50 years. When ISKCON started celebrating Rath Yatra, they conducted it with proper rituals. During the time of Prabhupada till 1977, most of the Rath Yatras celebrated by them were conducted as per the rituals followed during the nine-day sojourn. However, after Srila Prabhupada left his body, Rath Yatras were celebrated widely across the globe by them. However, in many places, the festival was not conducted as per proper timing. They have celebrated Rath Yatras at 68 places till September. 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 Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb.

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

"There are many temples of Lord Jagannath across the globe, and Rath Yatra is celebrated at many places. However, those have not been celebrated as per the tradition and 'Shastras'. It should not happen. Many programs are being conducted to spread Krishna consciousness. You are constructing many temples and conducting 'Sankirtana' programs. Let it be conducted throughout the year. But you should celebrate Lord's Rath Yatra as you are celebrating Srikrushna Janmastami in the proper 'tithi'. If you are trying to spread religion, it should be conducted as per the religious system," he further said.

"We gave them a complete answer today. We are preparing to find the answers of their logic and proof of their 'shastras'. Our scholars have now reached a definite decision. We have provided it to them. We are hopeful that they will take a proper decision in this regard within a month. If they don't take the right decision, we will then think about what to do. Legal action is the last resort. Srimandir is a religious place, and ISKCON is a religious organisation. The matter will be solved if we discuss the matter cordially and based on tradition and shastras. We are trying to solve the matter amicably soon," he added.

"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. This has been sent to the governing council of ISKCON at Mayapur in West Bengal through e-mail and courier by the Gajapati Maharaja," said SJTA chief administrator Arabinda Padhee.