Will ask ISKCON not to deviate from Rath Yatra rituals, dates: Odisha Law Minister

The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) will hold discussions with the chiefs of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) India over its Houston unit’s plan to conduct Snana Yatra and Rath Yatra of the Holy Trinity in the US untimely, informed Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan on Monday.

The Statement from the Law Minister came after a delegation of several organizations met Harichandan and sought the Odisha government’s intervention in the sensible matter.

Speaking to the media in Bhubaneswar, Harichandan said, “We will urge the chiefs of ISKCON in India not to deviate from the rituals of Lord Jagannath and follow the specific dates. The SJTA authorities will hold discussions with the ISKCON and I am hopeful for a positive result.”

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.