ISKCON urged to follow traditional calendar for Rath Yatra

ISKCON urged to follow traditional calendar for Rath Yatra

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has been asked to strictly adhere to the traditional calendar of Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra.

Puri Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, the titular king of Puri, Odisha, has written to ISKCON on this matter.

The disagreement is over the festival dates celebrated outside India by ISKCON, which don't match with those observed at the Jagannath Temple in Puri.

Maharaja Deb's stand

The Jagannath Temple in Puri follows a Hindu Lunar calendar for its festivals.

The Snana Yatra is celebrated on the Jyestha Purnima Tithi, and the Rath Yatra begins on Ashadha Shukla Paksha Dwitiya Tithi.

Maharaja Deb has argued that while the manner of celebration can differ according to local conditions, the dates must be strictly followed as per scriptures.

Practical issues in organizing Rath Yatra abroad

ISKCON, however, has maintained that organizing rath yatras outside India is challenging due to matters of practicality.

Permissions for public processions are often granted only on weekends or specific dates approved by local authorities.

Other factors like road closures and crowd control also affect the scheduling of overseas rath yatras.