Bhubaneswar: The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has informed the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee (SJTMC) chairperson, Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, that it cannot conduct the Rath Yatra on a single date worldwide. In September, Deb had previously requested ISKCON to celebrate Shree Jagannath’s Snana Yatra (bathing ritual) and Rath Yatra on specific ‘tithi’ as prescribed by sacred texts and tradition. ISKCON agreed to celebrate Snana Yatra on Jyestha Purnima in all its temples both in India and abroad, but disagreed with SJTMC’s decision to hold Rath Yatra in countries outside India according to the prescribed ‘tithi’.
ISKCON GBC chairman Govardhan Das communicated in a letter dated October 19 that while they would observe Snana Yatra on Jyestha Purnima globally, they could not comply with SJTMC’s request regarding Rath Yatra. ISKCON expressed that aligning international Rath Yatra dates with the Puri ‘tithi’ presents numerous challenges that render it impractical. It noted that the worship of Lord Jagannath is practiced by a small minority in most countries outside India, making it difficult to secure permissions for the Rath Yatra. Additionally, many Western government authorities permit processions only on weekends to avoid disrupting business activities. Even if such permits were granted, most volunteers and participants would be unable to attend due to weekday work commitments.
Furthermore, many temples in the West lack their own chariots, necessitating the same chariot to move between cities for the festival. The ISKCON also pointed out that varying climates mean some regions are in cold winters during the months when Rath Yatra tithi occurs. Holding Rath Yatras worldwide on the same ‘tithi’ could also prevent many devotees from participating in the sacred festival at Sri Dham Jagannath Puri. Meanwhile, Deb voiced his concerns on Tuesday regarding ISKCON’s decision to celebrate Rath Yatra on different dates and urged reconsideration. In his letter to Das, he requested ISKCON temples to observe Jagannath Rath Yatra during the nine-day auspicious period beginning on Asadha Shukla-paksha Dvitiya Tithi, as per sacred scriptures and tradition.
He argued that many major religious festivals are celebrated globally on specific ‘tithis’ according to sacred texts and there is no valid reason to allow Rath Yatra to occur on differing dates. Deb pointed out that in other major world religions, holy festivals are consistently celebrated according to lunar calendar dates set by scripture, regardless of local customs or climatic conditions. He emphasized that the auspicious dates for such festivals should not be altered for any reason, stating that there is no justification for celebrating Rath Yatra on arbitrary days.
