Puri Gajapati writes to ISKCON, seeks adherence to traditional Rath Yatra dates

The Chairman of the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee and Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb on Tuesday urged the ISKCON Governing Body to strictly adhere to scriptural traditions and conduct Rath Yatra only during the nine-day auspicious period commencing on Asadha Shukla-paksha Dwitiya Tithi each year after the latter reportedly agreed to observe the Snana Yatra on 'Jyestha Purnima' but refused to celebrate the Rath Yatra on 'Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya' tithi, the traditional date prescribed in the scriptures.

In a detailed letter addressed to ISKCON Chairman Shree Govardhana Das, the Gajapati expressed concern over ISKCON’s continued practice of organising Rath Yatra on random dates across various countries, calling it a ‘violation of sacred scriptures and well-established tradition’.

As per reports, ISKCON has expressed its unwillingness to organise the Rath Yatra abroad within the nine-day period of the festival, which has drawn a strong reaction from the devotees.

Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb wrote a stern letter to ISKCON, reiterating that both the Rath Yatra and Snana Yatra must be celebrated strictly according to the scriptural calendar (shastric tithi).

Earlier, ISKCON’s Governing Body Commission (GBC) chairman had written to the Gajapati Maharaja on October 19, informing him about their decision not to observe the Rath Yatra abroad within the nine-day traditional period.

In response, Gajapati Maharaja sent a letter back to ISKCON, urging them to reconsider their decision and adhere to the traditional schedule.

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

"We appreciate your decision to advise all ISKCON Temples around the world to henceforth celebrate Snana-yatra only on Jyestha-poornima tithi in commemoration of the "Birthday" of Shree Chaturdha Daru Vigrahas, as prescribed in our sacred scriptures and ancient tradition. We are, however, deeply concerned and disappointed at your decision to continue performing Shree Jagannath Rath Yatra at your various Temples outside India on random dates throughout the year in violation of the clear prescription of sacred scriptures and well- established tradition. The reasons and justifications for performing Shree Jagannath Rath Yatra around the world only during the auspicious nine-day period commencing on Asadha Shukla-paksha Dvitiya Tithi was conveyed to you in a comprehensive and exhaustive manner by my email of 6th September 2025; which is our Final Decision in this matter. I need not repeat them here. I wish however to very briefly allude to the points raised in your letter under reference," read the letter written by Gajapati Maharaja.

"Your view that it is possible to perform Rath Yatra in countries outside India only on week-ends is well accepted. As mentioned in our Final Decision communicated to you on 6th September, Shree Jagannath Rath Yatra may be celebrated on a week-end falling within the auspicious nine-day period commencing from Asadha Shukla-paksha Dvitiya Tithi; but not on a week-end outside the aforesaid nine-day period.  As mentioned in our aforesaid Final Decision, the mode and manner of celebration of Shree Jagannath Rath Yatra in various countries around the world may be adapted to suit local conditions and circumstances (such as, climatic conditions, local customs or governmental regulations); but the tithis for performing the yatra cannot be altered under any circumstance whatsoever. As you are well aware, Shree Jagannath Rath Yatra is not the only program of ISKCON for propagating Krishna Consciousness or Shree Jagannath Sanskriti around the world. As indicated earlier, Hari Nama-sankirtana, public discourse programs, distribution of books and various religious and spiritual activities conducted by ISKCON Temples throughout the year adequately promote the noble objectives of ISKCON and there is no need or justification for violating the clear provisions of sacred scriptures and long-established tradition by performing Ratha-yatra on random dates in order to fulfill the objectives of your esteemed Organisation. ISKCON may even consider holding Ratha-yatra on auspicious tithis during the year (outside the aforesaid nine- day period prescribed for Shree Jagannatha Ratha-yatra) by taking out in procession Utsava-Vigrahas installed in ISKCON Temples. In order to prevent any confusion in the minds of the general public in this regard, such yatras should not be promoted as Shree Jagannath Rath Yatra nor the likeness of Rathas used during Shree Jagannath Rath Yatra be used for these yatras. It has been conclusively established in our Scholars Final Opinion dated 2nd September 2025 (conveyed to you in my email of 6th September 2025) that Shree Chaturdha Daru Vigrahas are "Moola Vigrahas" and not "Utsava Vigrahas". ISKCON Scholars Board have already accepted the view of our Scholars that, as clearly prescribed by scriptures and tradition, after Their consecration and installation, Moola Vigrahas cannot be removed from Their Throne in the Garbha-griha. Although Shree Chaturdha Daru Vigrahas are Moola Vigrahas, they are taken in procession out of the Temple on two sacred occasions (namely, Snana-yatra and Rath Yatra) only because of the Divine Commandments of Lord Jagannath Himself as narrated in the Mahapuranas composed by Maharshi Vedavyasa, which has been elaborately explained in the aforesaid Final Opinion of our Scholars. In the absence of these Divine Commandments, it would not have been permissible to remove Shree Chaturdha Daru Vigrahas from Their Throne in the Garbha-griha. It is therefore not permissible at all to remove Shree Chaturdha Daru Vigrahas (Moola Vigrahas) from Their Throne on any day other than the sacred tithis declared by the Lord Himself," the letter further read.

"As mentioned in the aforesaid Final Opinion of our Scholars, the most sacred festivals of Sanatana Vaidika Dharma (such as, Shree Mahashivaratri, Shree Krishna- janmashtami, Shree Ramanavami, Shree Ganesh Chaturthi, Holi, Diwali, Durga Pooja, Dussehra, Vasant Panchami, Makara-sankranti, Guru Poornima) are celebrated all over the world on specific tithis sanctioned by sacred scriptures and tradition. Even in other major world religions, holy festivals are celebrated according to lunar calendar/dates sanctioned by sacred scriptures and/or tradition, whether it be Christmas or Eid-al Fitr, Wesak (Buddha Day) or Paryushan Mahaparva (Jainism), Yom Kippur celebrated by the Jews or Vaisakhi celebrated by our Sikh community. The auspicious dates for celebrating these sacred festivals are never altered on the ground of climatic conditions, local customs, opportunity for greater religious propagation and prasada distribution, adherence to the advice of Guru or Acharya or on any other ground whatsoever. There can therefore be no valid justification for celebrating Rath Yatra (the greatest and most sacred festival of Lord Jagannath, the Supreme Lord) on just about any day of the year on one pretext or another. It must be remembered that Lord Jagannath is none other than the Supreme Lord (the Avatari) referred to in our sacred scriptures as Purushottama, Paramatma, Parameshwara and Parama Brahman. The specific tithis for performing the nine-day Shree Jagannath Rath Yatra has been categorically declared by Lord Jagannath Himself, as stated in Skanda Purana (Purushottama-kshetra Mahatmyam); and this has been reiterated in Brahma Purana, Padma Purana and several other sacred scriptures, as has been elaborately mentioned in the aforesaid Final Opinion. It is inconceivable to disobey or disregard the Divine Commandments of Lord Jagannath, just as it is inconceivable to violate the Divine Commandments of Lord Krishna contained in our sacred scriptures. As an international Organisation founded for the propagation of Sanatana Vaidika Dharma, ISKCON ought to honour and abide by the prescription of sacred scriptures of Sanatana Vaidika Dharma in carrying out its activities, including celebration of Rath Yatra around the world. You are well aware that Founder Acharya HDG Srila Prabhupada always strongly emphasized the vital importance and necessity of faithfully adhering to the rules and regulations of sacred scriptures. I may conclude here by stating that celebration of Rath Yatra by ISKCON in various countries outside India in contravention of sacred scriptures and tradition is deeply hurting the religious sentiments and causing severe discontent among devotees of the Lord around the world. This violation by ISKCON has been strongly denounced by Param Pujyapad Shreemad Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati Maharaj of Shree Goverdhana Peeth (Puri), the supreme religious authority in matters relating to Shree Jagannath Sanskriti and Sanatana Vaidika Dharma. Under the aforesaid circumstances, I sincerely urge you to reconsider your decision and advise ISKCON Temples to celebrate Shree Jagannath Rath Yatra around the world only during the nine-days auspicious period commencing on Asadha Shukla-paksha Dvitiya Tithi in accordance with the prescription of sacred scriptures and ancient well-established tradition," it added.