Puri Gajapati Maharaja alerts PMO over ISKCON’s untimely Rath Yatra abroad

In a significant development, the Gajapati Maharaja of Puri- Dibyasingha Deb, has apprised the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) about the conduct of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in organising untimely Rath Yatra abroad. 

This development was communicated by the Chief Administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA)- Arabinda Padhee, after a meeting held on Monday.

Padhee said the decision taken by the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee will be duly implemented. Acting on the advice of the State government, SJTA will initiate appropriate steps to prevent ISKCON from holding the untimely Rath Yatra.

He further informed that the Gajapati Maharaja has already brought the matter to the notice of the PMO, and the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee is planning to meet the Prime Minister in this regard in the coming days.

Also Read: Puri Gajapati Maharaja slams ISKCON’s ‘propaganda’; cautions against repeated untimely Rath Yatras

Expressing strong displeasure over ISKCON’s untimely Rath Yatra, the Gajapati Maharaja said that conducting the festival outside its prescribed time is a major act of misinformation and a serious deviation from tradition. He urged acharyas, saints, and devotees of Lord Jagannath to raise a strong voice against the practice.

"Necessary action will be taken as per the advice of the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee and the State government. Gajapati Maharaja has apprised the Prime Minister’s Office about the matter. Decision taken by the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee will be duly implemented," said SJTA Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee.