Puri: Puri King Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb has strongly condemned the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)’s plan to hold untimely Rath Jatra for Lord Jagannath in Houston, Texas.
The ISKCON in Houston has decided to hold Rath Jatra on November 9, ahead of the traditional festival period in June or July.
Addressing a press conference here today, the Puri King said that the ISKCON, in view of the sentiments of the devotees, didn’t hold the proposed Snana Yatra of the holy triad in Houston on November 3.
However, it is unfortunate that they have not yet made any announcement regarding cancellation of the plan to conduct the Rath Jatra on November 9, which is against Jagannath culture and tradition.
The King also informed that not only in Houston, the ISKCON is also going to organise such Rath Jatra in Nigeria later this month as well.
“We are in touch with the senior members and Swamijis of ISKCON’s Governing Body Commission (GBC). The governing body of ISKCON is going to hold an important meeting in March where the issue will be raised for discussion,” said Shri Deb.
“Religious festivals are observed with strict adherence to scriptural guidelines in Sanatana Dharma. Just as Christmas or Eid dates are not arbitrarily changed, the Rath Jatra of Lord Jagannath must also follow traditional dates,” he said.
Shri Deb also informed the media about his intention to pursue legal action to prevent the deviation, which he says undermines the sanctity of one of Hinduism’s most revered festivals.
He further said ISKCON follows Vaishnavism, which is dedicated to the devotion to Lord Krishna. They keep Lord Jagannath as a subsidiary God in their belief system.
“I would urge them not to use Lord Jagannath for the sake of propagation of their belief system. Sri Jagannath Mahaprabhu comes out of the temple only twice a year, once for Snana Yatra and the other for Rath Jatra. So it is unfair for the ISKCON to carry Him out for their propagation of Jatras, which they do frequently,” the Gajapati added.
On October 29, the Puri King wrote to chairman of the governing body commission at ISKCON, requesting him to ensure that Rath Jatra and Snana Yatra of Lord Jagannath are observed by its centres globally on the tithis/dates sanctioned by scriptures and tradition.
Supporting the stand of Puri King, Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said the State government will support the decision of Gajapati Maharaja and the temple administration.
“We will not let Jagannath culture be compromised. Everything associated with the Trinity has special customs and traditions and all these are deep-rooted,” he said.
People across the world cannot organise one-day Rath Jatra as per their wish. The ISKCON has cancelled its Snana Yatra and hope that they abide by the rules of the Puri temple and cancel their unscheduled Rath Jatra, the Minister said, adding, “If they do not agree, we will support the decision of the Gajapati Maharaj and temple administration.”