Puri: A fresh controversy has erupted between the Shree Jagannath Temple authorities in Puri and the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) over the timing of Rath Yatras organised outside Odisha. Puri’s titular king and Chairman of the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee (SJTMC), Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, has accused ISKCON of spreading misleading information regarding discussions on the issue.
The dispute centres on whether Rath Yatras dedicated to Lord Jagannath can be held throughout the year outside Odisha or should be observed only during the traditional period prescribed by the Hindu calendar.
Gajapati Maharaja rejects ISKCON’s claims
Reacting to a press release issued by ISKCON’s Juhu branch in Mumbai, Dibyasingha Deb said the organisation had falsely claimed that scholars from Puri were “defeated in a debate” with ISKCON scholars over the issue of conducting Rath Yatras outside the prescribed period.
Calling the statement “completely false and irrelevant”, Deb clarified that a discussion had indeed taken place between scholars from Puri and ISKCON at the Shree Nahar Palace in Puri, but denied that the outcome was as portrayed by the organisation.
He alleged that ISKCON was circulating a fabricated version of the discussions and said the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) would issue a formal response regarding the matter.
Difference over Rath Yatra dates
The Shree Jagannath Temple authorities maintain that Rath Yatra should be observed only during the traditional nine-day period beginning on Asadha Sukla Dwitiya of the Hindu calendar.
However, ISKCON has maintained that it can organise Rath Yatras at different times of the year in various countries and has stated that its discussions with the SJTA on the issue have concluded.
The differing interpretations have led to renewed disagreement between the temple authorities and the organisation over the observance of Jagannath traditions outside Odisha.
Temple committee raises concerns
As Chairman of the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee, Dibyasingha Deb said ISKCON’s highest decision-making body, the Governing Body Commission (GBC), had already been informed about what the temple administration considers deviations from traditional practices.
He alleged that despite being informed, ISKCON continues to organise Snana Yatra and Rath Yatra at various locations around the world outside the traditional schedule observed in Puri.
ISKCON Odisha tenders apology
Responding to the controversy, ISKCON Odisha Regional Secretary Banamali Das said the organisation in Odisha holds the Gajapati Maharaja in the highest regard and expressed regret if his sentiments had been hurt.
“On behalf of Odisha ISKCON, we tender an apology from the core of our heart if Gajapati Maharaja was hurt. We have the highest regard for him,” he told reporters.
He clarified that ISKCON in Odisha follows the same dates and tithis observed in Puri and does not deviate from the prescribed tradition.
Overseas events beyond Odisha unit’s control
Banamali Das also stated that the Odisha unit has no control over Rath Yatra celebrations organised by ISKCON outside India.
He said Rath Yatra and Snana Yatra are conducted on prescribed dates across India in accordance with the Puri tradition.
Referring to an upcoming event, he said ISKCON will organise the Rath Yatra in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on July 16, the same day it is being observed in India.
The issue has once again brought into focus differing interpretations over the observance of Jagannath traditions outside Odisha, with the temple administration expected to issue its detailed response in the coming days.