A peaceful protest was staged outside the ISKCON temple in Bhubaneswar on Sunday by members of the social organisation We for Bhubaneswar, opposing the conduct of Rath Yatra on dates that deviate from the traditional calendar observed at the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri.
The demonstrators alleged that holding Rath Yatra on non‑traditional dates violates age‑old customs of Lord Jagannath and hurts the sentiments of devotees. They demanded a complete halt to untimely Rath Yatras conducted by ISKCON abroad, insisting that the sacred tithis prescribed in Puri must be followed worldwide.
Protesters warned that any attempt to undermine Jagannath culture and traditions would not be tolerated, describing the demonstration as the beginning of a larger movement to protect the sanctity of Jagannath rituals.
Meanwhile, Bhubaneswar ISKCON president Satwatapati Das supported the demand, stating that ISKCON should not organise untimely Rath Yatras and urging the Governing Body Commission (GBC) to reconsider its stand. He emphasised that the Gajapati Maharaja of Puri, regarded as the foremost servitor of Lord Jagannath, had already appealed for adherence to the traditional calendar.
Das noted that while ISKCON India may not have authority over overseas temples, the Government of India could play a role in resolving the issue.
The protest comes amid growing controversy after ISKCON’s GBC rejected a request from Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb to align overseas observances of Snana Yatra and Rath Yatra with the prescribed tithis. In his appeal, the Gajapati stressed that while local adaptations of celebrations are acceptable, the sacred dates are immutable. He has also written to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking intervention.
The issue has sparked a wider debate on cultural authenticity, religious uniformity, and the global practice of Jagannath traditions.
