Bhubaneswar: The titular king of Puri, Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, regarded as the chief servitor of Lord Jagannath, has voiced grave concern over the conduct of untimely Rath Yatra celebrations by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in different parts of India and abroad.
He said such practices violate established religious directives and sacred scriptures. Speaking at the global spiritual conclave organised by Shree Jagannath Chintan and Chetana Worldwide Organisation in Puri on Sunday, the Maharaja emphasised that Lord Jagannath cannot be taken out in procession at will throughout the year.
The Gajapati Maharaja of Puri reminded devotees that the 9-day Rath Yatra is a highly sacred ritual, ordained to begin only on the second day of the bright fortnight of Ashadha month. Any deviation, he warned, undermines the sanctity of the tradition. Citing ancient texts authored by Maharshi Ved Vyasa, he reiterated that Lord Jagannath is permitted to come out only twice a year, strictly as per divine command.
The conclave was inaugurated by Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati on Friday and concluded on Sunday. It was convened to address concerns over unseasonal Rath Yatra celebrations and to safeguard temple traditions amid growing global participation.
Delegates from 53 countries, including several Non-Resident Odias (NROs), joined the discussions to share perspectives on preserving the sanctity of Jagannath culture. Attending the valedictory session, the Gajapati Maharaja underscored the importance of building consensus to protect the spiritual and cultural heritage of the festival.
