Renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik has criticised ISKCON’s decision to organise Rath Yatra celebrations in Kenya ahead of the annual Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri, calling the move “deeply hurtful” to the religious sentiments of devotees.
Speaking to ANI, Pattnaik said the practice of holding Rath Yatras abroad before the traditional festival date in Puri was “sad” and “a huge blow” to the faith of Jagannath followers. “It is sad that many countries already hold Rath Yatras before the Puri Rath Yatra. This is a huge blow, hurting our religious sentiments,” he remarked.
He added that the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) had called ISKCON representatives for discussions to resolve the issue. “ISKCON was informed of all the facts, but the message from ISKCON was that there would be no further discussion on this issue. The discussion should have been about finding a solution,” Pattnaik said.
The controversy comes amid growing criticism of ISKCON’s practice of conducting untimely Rath Yatras in several countries, including the United States, Germany, and Kenya, ahead of the sacred tithi observed in Puri. Devotees and cultural organisations have repeatedly urged ISKCON to align its overseas celebrations with the traditional calendar.
Pattnaik, known globally for his sand art depictions of Lord Jagannath and Odisha’s cultural heritage, said such deviations undermine the sanctity of the festival and the unity of Jagannath devotees worldwide.
The issue has reignited calls for uniform observance of Jagannath rituals across the globe, with devotees demanding that ISKCON respect the spiritual calendar followed by the Puri temple.
