Puri Jagannath Temple Administration Accuses ISKCON of Misleading

Devotees, Says Early Rath Yatra Is Not in Accordance with Shastras

A new controversy is brewing between the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA)

of Puri and the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) with regards to the

date of celebration of Rath Yatras outside India. SJTA has accused ISKCON of deceiving

devotees of organizing Rath Yatras on days that, according to the Puri authorities, go against

the traditional Hindu scriptures, or shastras

This problem stems from the tradition of celebrating the annual Rath Yatra according to the

predetermined dates of the Hindu lunisolar calendar at the Jagannath Temple of Puri. The

temple authorities, headed by Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, have been maintaining

that the festival must be observed strictly on the nine predetermined days of the annual Rath

Yatra. It does not make sense to celebrate the event on any other date since it creates a

confusion for the worshippers and goes against the age-old religious traditions.

ISKCON, on the other hand, has claimed that its practice of organizing annual Rath Yatras

around the world is in accordance with the scriptures and takes into account the needs and

requirements of conducting such an event on time. The organization claims that their global

Rath Yatras intend to propagate devotion to Lord Jagannath without going against the

religious traditions.

The conflict has become even more intense since the Puri temple management made

allegations against ISKCON of using statements that might mislead the followers about the

authenticity of these festivals from the perspective of religion. The temple management has

approached the central government and other agencies for helping them preserve the true

traditions of Jagannath religion.

While the debate is still going on, the matter has raised many questions among the religious

experts and devotees about how to maintain the old traditions along with promoting the

religion worldwide. Both the parties have assured their devotion toward their followers,

although there has been a dispute between them about the time and method of Rath Yatra

celebration.

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