“ISKCON celebrating Rath Yatra at random time, violation of sacred traditions”: Gajapati Maharaja

Sep 07, 2025

Bhubaneswar (Odisha), 7 September, 2025 (ANI): Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, the erstwhile King of Puri and traditional head of Lord Jagannath’s rituals, has strongly objected to ISKCON’s practice of conducting Rath Yatra at arbitrary times of the year, especially outside India. He said “ The very well-established tradition regarding the festivals of Lord Jagannatha is that the Lord celebrates his birthday with Snan Yatra on Jyestha Purnima... These traditions have been followed since ancient temples in India and outside India, but Rath Yatra at most of the ISCKON temples was being celebrated at any random time of the year, which is completely in violation of sacred traditions... We started a dialogue regarding this with ISCKON and ultimately, the ISCKON governing body agreed with us and said that Lord Jaganath Rath Yatra will be performed by ISCKON temples in India according to the scriptures and traditions. But they said that the governing body commission will be taking the decision on the Yatras outside India... We discussed with them as well...