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

Puri Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb issued a strong caution against the practice of conducting Rath Yatra outside its prescribed scriptural timeline, describing the trend as a serious deviation that risks spreading misinformation and weakening the sanctity of the Jagannath tradition.

The remarks come amid continuing objections to the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) for organising what he termed “untimely” Rath Yatras in India and abroad.

Speaking at a programme organised by the Shree Jagannath Chetana Research Institute on Sunday, the Gajapati Maharaja said the practice of holding Rath Yatra on dates not sanctioned by scripture has emerged as one of the most significant sources of religious misinformation in recent times.

“In the name of promoting Jagannath culture, there are rampant attempts to spread misinformation and propaganda. In the current times, untimely Rath Yatra has become the number one cause of such misinformation,” the Gajapati Maharaja said.

Call for Response From Scholars and Devotees

The Gajapati Maharaja stressed that acharyas, scholars, and devotees must actively express their views on the issue, warning that silence could encourage further deviations. He said if objections are not raised firmly, unseasonal observances could gradually become normalised.

“If acharyas and devotees remain silent, ISKCON will continue to organise untimely Rath Yatra at will. Others are now following that example, which could create a damaging tradition in the years to come,” he said.

He added that Rath Yatra must be observed strictly in accordance with scriptural injunctions and the long-established customs associated with the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, which remains the central reference point for the festival.

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Talks With ISKCON Failed

Referring to discussions held earlier, the Gajapati Maharaja said efforts by the Shree Jagannath Temple administration to resolve the matter through dialogue had not yielded results.

According to him, ISKCON authorities conveyed in October that they would not discontinue the practice, even after being presented with scriptural references and explanations regarding the significance of conducting Rath Yatra on the traditionally mandated date.

“Despite being shown evidence from sacred texts and the importance of observing Rath Yatra on the prescribed date, they refused to follow the established calendar,” he said.

He also pointed out that there is no regulatory mechanism to prevent untimely Rath Yatras outside India, adding that such deviations ultimately reflect back on the traditions associated with Jagannath Dham in Puri.

Global Protests Over Unseasonal Observances

The remarks come against the backdrop of growing protests by Jagannath devotees worldwide over ISKCON’s continued organisation of Rath Yatra celebrations outside the traditional Ashadha schedule. Last month, Rath Yatra processions reportedly held by ISKCON in Nigeria and Taiwan triggered widespread criticism.

On November 23, visuals of a Rath Yatra organised by ISKCON Nigeria circulated on social media, prompting objections from several Jagannath organisations. Shree Jagannath Chaitanya and Chetana Worldwide wrote to the ISKCON leadership in Nigeria, questioning the observance of Rath Yatra during the month of Kartika, instead of the second day of the bright fortnight of Ashadha, as followed in Puri.

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In its communication, the organisation warned that altering the festival calendar for convenience could erode the discipline and sanctity associated with the tradition and disturb the religious sentiments of millions of devotees. Similar objections had earlier been raised by the Gajapati Maharaja to ISKCON Mayapur over unseasonal celebrations.

ISKCON has not announced any change in its position following the latest objections.