The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Puri, has announced that a high‑level delegation will soon meet the President of India, the Prime Minister, and other senior dignitaries to seek intervention in stopping untimely Snana Yatras and Rath Yatras organised by ISKCON across the world.
In a press release, the SJTA accused ISKCON’s National Communications Office of issuing “false statements” in its July 12 release defending the conduct of Rath Yatras on non‑traditional dates. The temple administration rejected ISKCON’s claim that such celebrations are scripturally justified, citing a scholars’ meeting held in Bhubaneswar on March 20, 2025, attended by Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, SJTA officials, and ISKCON representatives.
According to SJTA, scholars unanimously concluded that Lord Jagannath Himself has prescribed the festival dates — including the nine‑day Rath Yatra beginning on Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya — and that deviations from these sacred tithis violate Sanatana Vaidika traditions.
The administration said it had reviewed written representations from ISKCON scholars and communicated its final opinion to ISKCON’s Governing Body Commission (GBC) at Mayapur in September 2025. Despite repeated appeals from the Gajapati Maharaja, ISKCON declined to align its overseas celebrations with the traditional calendar.
SJTA also clarified that the Maharaja’s presence at ISKCON’s Berlin Rath Yatra decades ago did not imply approval; he had attended an interfaith conference and advised organisers to follow prescribed dates. The temple committee had formally opposed untimely Rath Yatras through a resolution in 2008.
The administration noted that while ISKCON’s Indian council had once resolved to observe Rath Yatra only during the traditional period, several overseas temples continue to hold Snana Yatra and Rath Yatra on alternate dates. The Odisha government has been kept informed, and the Puri Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati has reiterated that the festival must be celebrated strictly within the sacred nine‑day window.
Following this year’s Rath Yatra, the SJTA delegation will formally approach the President, Prime Minister, and other authorities to safeguard the sanctity of Jagannath traditions worldwide.
