Puri Gajapati has expressed strong objection to ISKCON organizing ‘untimely’ Snan-Yatra and Rath-Yatra across the world. Shri Jagannath Temple Committee has called for its immediate ban, calling it against the scriptures.
Puri (Odisha) [भारत]July 7 (ANI): In a major development aimed at maintaining the age-old religious traditions, Shri Jagannath Temple Managing Committee Chairman, Puri Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingh Deb has issued an urgent letter to ISKCON’s Governing Body Commission (GBC).
In this letter, addressed directly to Shri Madhusevita Das Prabhu, President of ISKCON GBC, strong objection has been raised to the holding of “untimely” or off-season Snana-Yatra and Rath-Yatra ceremonies in centers across the world. After a comprehensive review by the panel of scholars of Shri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), the management committee has ordered strict adherence to the Vedic scriptures like Skanda Purana. This includes that the Snana-Yatra should be performed only on the Jyeshtha-purnima tithi, and the 9-day festival (Navadinataka-yatra) should begin only on the Ashadha Shukla-paksha Dwitiya tithi, which is 16 July.
ISKCON’s arguments were rejected
The religious interpretations previously presented by the ISKCON Scholars Board were thoroughly analyzed by SJTA scholars and declared completely unacceptable. The panel strongly ruled that these divine festivals cannot be changed or rescheduled for local convenience.
Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingh Deb said in his letter, “The celebration of the sacred Snana-Yatra and Rath-Yatra in violation of the sacred scriptures and age-old established tradition is hurting the religious sentiments of countless devotees across the world.”
Criticism is happening all over the world
The temple’s action followed strong reactions from Odia diaspora and scholars of traditional scriptures. Recently several international ISKCON centres, including New York, London and Australia, have faced heavy criticism for holding “adinia” (untimely) processions weeks ahead of the time scheduled by the traditional Puri Jagannath Panjika.
Although ISKCON has historically cited local logistical constraints abroad and restrictions on public permission on weekends as reasons for these changes, temple authorities believe that while the method of celebration may change, changing the original date or calendar is spiritually unacceptable. Gajapati Maharaja has urged the apex body of ISKCON to take immediate, favorable consideration to ensure worldwide uniformity and respect for the main abode of Lord Jagannath. (ANI)
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