ISKCON’s Plan To Hold Untimely Rath Yatra In USA Annoys Devotees Of Lord Jagannath In Odisha

Bhubaneswar: A move by International Society for Krishna Consciousness’ (ISKCON) Houston unit to organise untimely ‘Snana Yatra’ and ‘Rath Yatra’ in the United States has triggered sharp reaction among devotees of Lord Jagannath in Odisha and outside.

As per a release published on the website of the Houston unit of ISKCON, the society is planning to organise ‘Snana Yatra’ of the Holy Trinity on November 3, and hold Rath Yatra on November 9.

This attempt to hold the untimely divine ritual of Lord Jagannath and siblings has drawn ire of lakhs of devotees.

Expressing surprise over the move by ISKCON Houston unit, eminent sand sculptor Sudarsan Pattnaik urged the organisers to refrain from changing the tradition of celebrating Rath Yatra, the most important religious event associated with Maha Prabhu Jagannath. “Celebrating the pious Rath Yatra on a single day across the countries will increase its global significance,” he said in a post on X handle.

Devotees pointed out that this is not the first time that the international society has dampened the sentiments of crores of Jagannath culture followers.

Voicing displeasure over such repeated moves by ISKCON, Puri Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb had in September 2019 sent a clear message asking the society not to organise Rath Yatra on any random dates other than the Sanatan culture specified date.

As per the Sanatan culture, the Rath Yatra of the Sibling deities is organised on the ‘dwitiya tithi’ of ‘Sukla Pakhya’ in ‘Asadha’ month in Odia calendar.

Responding to Puri King’s message, the ISKCON India adopted a resolution to observe Rath Yatra on the specific date. The ISKCON also confirmed the resolution through a letter to the Puri King in August 2021.

However, the Houston unit of the society has planned to organise Rath Yatra in November, triggering widespread outrage.

“The move by ISKCON is an insult to Jagannath culture. This should be opposed by the Odisha government, Puri and the Srimandir administration. Snana Yatra is held on Jyestha purnima. Organising untimely Rath Yatra is against Jagannath Culture,” said Binayak Das Mohapatra, a senior servitor of Puri Jagannath Temple.

Local ISKCON functionaries were not immediately available for comment.