Bhubaneswar, 05 July (H.S.): Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingh Deb, the Adya Sevaka of Lord Jagannath and Chairman of the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee, has written to the Governing Body Commission (GBC) of ISKCON expressing concern over the observance of Snana Yatra and Ratha Yatra on dates not aligned with traditional tithis.

In his letter, the Gajapati Maharaja urged ISKCON to ensure that these sacred festivals are observed strictly in accordance with prescribed lunar tithis across all its temples worldwide. He emphasised that, as per Shri Jagannath tradition, these yatras must be celebrated uniformly on the designated tithi and deviations from it are not acceptable.

The Maharaja stated that Snana Yatra, marking the sacred appearance day of Lord Jagannath, should be observed only on Jyeshtha Purnima, which falls on 29 June 2026 this year. He noted with concern that despite ISKCON’s earlier commitment in October 2025 to follow the prescribed tithi globally, several temples outside India continue to observe the festival on alternative dates.

Regarding Ratha Yatra, he requested that celebrations be restricted to the nine-day period beginning from Ashadha Shukla Paksha Dwitiya (16 July 2026). While acknowledging that many ISKCON programmes in India, including those organised in Ujjain, fall within this period, he pointed out that some events scheduled abroad extend beyond the traditional timeframe and called for strict adherence worldwide.

The letter also refers to earlier correspondence from September and October 2025, along with scholarly opinions endorsed by the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee and a recent statement issued by the Muktimandapa Pandita Sabha.

Appealing to the ISKCON GBC, the Gajapati Maharaja has urged a reconsideration of the 2025 decision to ensure full alignment with scriptural traditions and the guidance of leading religious authorities, including Shankaracharyas and Vaishnavacharyas.

He further clarified that while variations in the mode of celebration based on time, place, and circumstance may be acceptable, any alteration of the core tithi of these sacred yatras is not permissible. The letter underscores the importance of preserving the sanctity and uniform observance of Shri Jagannath’s festivals in accordance with ancient tradition.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda