In a bold and unprecedented move to safeguard the sanctity of Lord Jagannath’s ancient traditions, Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, Chairman of the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee, has directly appealed to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to resolve the growing controversy surrounding ISKCON’s celebration of Snana-yatra and Ratha-yatra on arbitrary dates outside India.
The letters, sent on 20th April 2026 to the President and 24th October 2025 to the Prime Minister, underscore a deepening rift between traditional scriptural practices followed for centuries in Puri — the moola-peetha (original seat) of Lord Jagannath — and the global practices of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).
According to the detailed communications, both Snana-yatra and Ratha-yatra must be observed strictly according to prescribed tithis (lunar dates) mentioned in revered texts such as the Skanda Purana, Brahma Purana, and Padma Purana. Snana-yatra is observed on Jyeshtha Purnima, while Ratha-yatra — a nine-day navadinatmaka-yatra — must begin on Ashadha Shukla Dvitīya.
Gajapati Maharaja emphasised that these dates have been followed immemorially in Puri and all authentic Jagannath temples. Deviating from them, he argued, hurts the religious sentiments of millions of devotees worldwide and amounts to a violation of divine commandments.“In the current year, Ratha-yatra was celebrated in more than 70 cities worldwide on unsanctioned dates, while Snana-yatra was performed in at least 10 cities outside India on non-prescribed dates,” the letters state.
The Gajapati Maharaja noted that extensive scholarly dialogue has been ongoing since December 2024, involving experts from the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), ISKCON’s Governing Body Commission (GBC), and culminating in a final scholarly opinion in March 2025. Despite this, and even after recent correspondence with ISKCON GBC Chairman Shree Govardhana Dasa in October 2025, the organisation continues the practice abroad.
He highlighted that no other major Hindu festival — Diwali, Holi, or even festivals of other religions — is celebrated on random dates, questioning why Lord Jagannatha’s festivals should be treated differently.
In his letter to Prime Minister Modi, Gajapati Maharaja praised the PM’s personal participation in the Ahmedabad Rath Yatra and his efforts to promote Vedic culture globally. He then respectfully sought Modi’s guidance, intervention, and a personal meeting to find an amicable resolution that upholds the glory and sanctity of Shree Shree Jagannath Mahaprabhu’s traditions.
The appeal to President Murmu similarly requests her to initiate appropriate steps to protect India’s sacred heritage.
The letters mention strong support from revered Shankaracharyas and Vaishnavacharyas who have denounced the non-scriptural celebrations, reflecting a broad traditional consensus on the issue.
Also, copies of the letters were submitted to the Odisha Chief Minister & Law Minister at the relevant time.
As the debate gains momentum, devotees across India and the world are watching closely. Many view this as not merely an administrative matter but a spiritual call to preserve the timeless integrity of one of Hinduism’s most beloved and iconic festivals.
The response from the highest offices of the nation and from ISKCON leadership is now eagerly awaited.
