Global conclave in Odisha’s Puri to address unseasonal Rath Yatra celebrations

A global spiritual conclave aimed at curbing the practice of holding unseasonal Rath Yatra celebrations in Odisha and outside began on Friday in the pilgrimage town of Puri.

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The gathering has been organised by the Shree Jagannath Chintan and Chetana Worldwide Organisation to deliberate on concerns surrounding the sanctity and traditional observance of the sacred festival by violating the temple traditions.

The three-day spiritual and awareness-oriented conclave was formally inaugurated by the Jagadguru Shankaracharya in Puri, Swami Nischalananda Saraswati. The event focuses on spreading awareness and building consensus on how Jagannath traditions should be preserved amid increasing global participation and diaspora-led celebrations.

Delegates from around 53 countries are taking part in the global conclave, reflecting the worldwide devotion to Lord Jagannath and Sanatan culture. Several Non-Resident Odias have also joined the discussions, sharing perspectives from their respective countries.

The conclave will continue till the 4th of this month. On the concluding day, Gajapati Maharaja of Puri, Dibyasingha Deb, is scheduled to attend the valedictory session, underscoring the importance of the discussions and their cultural significance.

Worth mentioning, Gajapati Maharaja had earlier issued a strong message to International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), on September 7 last year, over its continued ‘defiance’ of the established traditions by organising untimely Rath Yatra and Snana Yatra events, both in India and abroad.

Citing deviation from scriptures and age-old rituals, the Maharaja had warned that legal action would be initiated if ISKCON fails to comply within a month.

According to Hindu scriptures, the Rath Yatra must be conducted strictly on Asadha Shukla Dwitiya, and Snana Yatra on Jyestha Purnima. Any deviation, the Gajapati Maharaja had stressed, invites inauspiciousness and undermines the sanctity of Jagannath culture.

A detailed dossier comprising hundreds of pages had been sent to ISKCON's headquarters in Mayapuri, backed by a legal opinion suggesting that violations within India can be dealt with under Indian law.