Puri Shankaracharya Dismayed Over ISKCON’s Untimely Rath Yatra Plan

Puri: Voicing dismay over plans by International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) to organise untimely Rath Yatra, Puri Shankaracharya, Swami Nischalananda Saraswati said such violation of traditions for drawing attention will not help them.

Underlining the need to maintain a harmony between tradition and emotions, the seer told reporters that Bhagavad Gita teaches all to ensure harmony to achieve success.

Noting that ISKCON is well aware of the ritual, the Shankaracharya said the move by the society’s Houston unit is simply a stunt to gain popularity and draw attention.

However, such act in violation of age-old tradition will not benefit them in any manner, he said.

Notably, Puri Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb has already written letters to the chairman of the governing body commission, ISKCON Mayapuri and the president of ISKCON temple, Houston, asking them to cancel the Rath Yatra scheduled to be held on November 9.

Drawing a parallel between Janmasthami and Rath Yatra, he in his letter said the festivals of Lord Jagannath, like those of Lord Krishna, must be celebrated uniformly throughout the world (and not only in India) in accordance with scriptures and tradition.

Notably, the Houston unit of ISKCON has been accused of tarnishing the Jagannath Culture by organising untimely ‘Snana Yatra’ and ‘Rath Yatra’ in the US.

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

This move by the ISKCON to hold the divine rituals of Lord Jagannath and siblings untimely has triggered outrage among the devotees.