Puri, Oct 21: In a renewed appeal, Puri King and Jagannath Temple Managing Committee (JTMC) chairman Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb on Tuesday called upon the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) to celebrate the Rath Yatra festival of Lord Shree Jagannath globally only during the traditional nine-day period commencing from Asadha Shukla-paksha Dwitiya tithi, as prescribed by sacred scriptures.

Upholding Sacred Traditions 

On 6th September 2025, the Maharaja conveyed the final decision of the Shree Jagannatha Temple Managing Committee to ISKCON’s Governing Body Commission (GBC) Chairman, Shree Govardhana Dasa, emphasizing the importance of observing both Snana Yatra and Rath Yatra on scripturally sanctioned dates.

ISKCON’s Partial Agreement

In a letter dated 19th October 2025, the ISKCON GBC Chairman confirmed that all ISKCON temples worldwide would celebrate Snana-yatra on Jyestha-poornima, aligning with tradition. However, he expressed reservations about enforcing the same for Rath Yatra outside India, citing logistical constraints and regional considerations.

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A Call for Reconsideration

Responding swiftly, Shree Gajapati Maharaja issued a letter on 21st October 2025 urging ISKCON to reconsider its stance. He stressed that spiritual integrity must not be compromised for convenience and that uniform observance of Rath Yatra across all ISKCON temples would reinforce the global reverence for Lord Jagannatha’s sacred traditions.

This exchange reflects a broader dialogue between traditional custodians of Hindu rituals and global spiritual institutions, highlighting the need for harmony between scriptural fidelity and international outreach.