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In a major development aimed at preserving centuries-old religious traditions, the Puri Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, serving as the Chairman of the Shree Jagannatha Temple Managing Committee, has issued an urgent letter to the Governing Body Commission (GBC) of ISKCON.
The communication, addressed directly to ISKCON GBC Chairman Shree Madhusevita Dasa Prabhu, strongly objects to the practice of conducting "untimely" or off-season Snana-yatra and Ratha-yatra celebrations across global centres. Following a comprehensive review by the Shree Jagannatha Temple Administration (SJTA) scholars panel, the managing committee has mandated strict adherence to Vedic scriptures like the Skanda Purana. It includes that Snana-yatra must strictly be performed only on Jyestha-poornima Tithi, the 9-day festival (navadinatmaka-yatra) must strictly commence only on Ashadha Shukla-paksha Dvitiya Tithi, which is July 16. The theological interpretations previously submitted by the ISKCON Scholars Board were thoroughly analysed by SJTA scholars and declared completely unacceptable. The panel firmly ruled that these celestial festivals cannot be altered or rescheduled for local convenience. "Celebration of sacred Snana-yatra and Ratha-yatra in contravention of holy scriptures and ancient well-established tradition is hurting the religious sentiments of countless devotees around the world," said Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb in his letter. The apex temple's intervention follows severe backlash from the Odia diaspora and traditional scriptures scholars. Several international ISKCON centers--including those in New York, London and Australia--have recently drawn intense criticism for holding unseasonal, "Adinia" processions weeks ahead of the schedule dictated by the traditional Puri Jagannath Panjika. While ISKCON has historically cited local logistical constraints and weekend public permissions abroad as reasons for the shifts, temple authorities maintain that while the manner of celebration can adapt, altering the fundamental Tithi or calendar is spiritually impermissible. The Gajapati Maharaja has urged prompt, favourable consideration from ISKCON's apex body to ensure worldwide uniformity and respect for Lord Jagannatha's primary abode. (ANI)
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