Puri, Odisha: The Shree Jagannatha Temple administration has strongly urged the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) to conduct major Jagannath-related festivals, such as Snan Purnima and Rath Yatra, strictly as per the dates prescribed in Hindu scriptures and long-standing traditions.

Speaking to reporters, Arabinda K Padhee, Chief Administrator of the Shree Jagannatha Temple Office, emphasized that several ISKCON temples, both in India and abroad, have been celebrating Snan Purnima on dates that deviate from scriptural mandates.

“We have noticed that in many instances, the ISKCON organisation is performing this ritual on dates that are not in accordance with the scriptures or traditions of the Shree Jagannatha Temple,” said Padhee.

He added that the temple administration had earlier made a humble request to ISKCON to align their festival dates with traditional observances, but the issue persists.

“But we have noticed within the country, in India, they are performing Rath Yatra on the mentioned dates, but not Snan Purnima. In many places outside the country and even within the country, they are performing the Snan Purnima on different dates, which are not mandated by scriptures and traditions,” he said.

Padhee further mentioned that scholars associated with the temple administration have extensively studied Puranas and Shastras, and the conclusion is unambiguous.

“Now it is established beyond any doubt that these festivals can only be celebrated on the dates mentioned in the scriptures and traditions,” he asserted.

The Jagannatha Temple management committee has formally approved this position, and the administration has requested ISKCON to offer their consent within a month's time.

“This particular decision has been approved by the management committee of Shree Jagannatha Temple, and we are requesting the ISKCON organisation to kindly offer their consent within a month’s time,” Padhee added.

Gajapati Maharaja slams ISKCON for “violating sacred traditions”

Echoing the temple administration's concerns, Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, the Erstwhile King of Puri, strongly criticised ISKCON for conducting Rath Yatra “at random times of the year”, calling it a serious violation of sacred customs.

“The very well-established tradition regarding the festivals of Lord Jagannatha is that the Lord celebrates his birthday with Snan Yatra on Jyestha Purnima,” said Gajapati Maharaja.

“These traditions have been followed since ancient times in India as well as outside India, but Rath Yatra at most of the ISKCON temples was being celebrated at any random time of the year, which is completely in violation of sacred traditions,” he added.

To address the issue, the Gajapati Maharaja initiated a dialogue with ISKCON authorities, resulting in a partial agreement.

“Lord Jaganath Rath Yatra will be performed by ISKCON temples in India according to the scriptures and traditions. However, they stated that the governing body commission will make the decision on the Yatras outside India… We discussed with them as well,” he said.

However, the Maharaja stated that scholars thoroughly examined ISKCON’s reasoning and found them lacking in scriptural basis.

“The views presented by ISKCON were thoroughly examined by our scholars as well but found that they were totally baseless,” he said.

Drawing parallels to other regional traditions, the Gajapati Maharaja added:

“Many Yatras of different deities in different states are done according to their traditions... Similar should be done with Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra.”

He also revealed that a detailed 100-page report had been submitted to ISKCON, countering all justifications provided by the organisation.

“We hope that they will take cognisance of the scriptures, and a quick decision will be taken. Otherwise, legal course will be the last resort,” he warned.

“This is the ultimate, and we are not having any more dialogues with ISKCON,” the Maharaja concluded.