Puri Jagannath Temple asks ISKCON to stop ‘untimely’ Rath Yatra in the US

BHUBANESWAR: The Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee (SJTM) has told the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) that Rath Yatra should be held between the second and tenth day of Shukla Paksha in Ashadha month in accordance with scriptural guidelines.

The SJTM, the highest decision-making body of the 12th-century Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, emphasised that there should be no deviation from the prescribed 'Tithi' (dates) for the annual Rath Yatra, which is usually held in June-end or July.

This was communicated to ISKCON by Gajapati Maharaja of Puri, Divya Singha Deb, who is also the chairman of the SJTM, during a meeting at the Royal Palace in Puri on 2 December, Monday.

In a press release, the SJTA reaffirmed that the dates for the Rath Yatra are fixed in accordance with sacred scriptures and longstanding traditions.

The issue gained attention after ISKCON held a Rath Yatra in Houston, USA, earlier this year. Devotees in large numbers participated in pulling a chariot resembling the Nandighosha of Lord Jagannath from Puri. However, ISKCON clarified that the event was a Sankirtan Yatra and not an untimely Rath Yatra, as some critics had suggested.

Related Odisha News

Angul police busts inter-district dreaded dacoit gang

ANGUL: Angul police have busted an inter-district dread gang who struck a family in Laxmipriyapur after they lost their house owner in a road accident. This inhuman incident occurred on November 25 last in the village belonging to Handapa police station. The arrested dacoits are Mithun Behera,....

Social boycott slur village committee in Dhenkanal

DHENKANAL:The family members of an additional Superintendent of police in village Oukhama under Sadar police station in Dhenkanal district have alleged social boycott by the villagers for the last one year over a civil dispute. But the village committee headman denied any boycott of the police....

Collector asks tough measures to minimize road accidents in Dhenkanal

By Jagadananda Pradhan DHENKANAL: In view of Dhenkanal district records, around 18 accidental deaths in the month of October last collector Somesh Kumar Upadhyay has asked concerned officials to tighten the measures in order to minimize the road accidents. The collector said this in a meeting of Zil....

Son kills mother in Angul village

ANGUL:A 23-year-old son has killed his mother on a minor issue this morning in village Susuda under Angul town police station.The deceased has been identified as Lata Naik,60 while the accused name is Sarat Naik,23. He has allegedly killed her mother by hitting with a wooden plank when his mot....

Deputy chief minister reviews paddy procurement drive in Dhenkanal

DHENKANAL:The deputy chief minister Prabhati Parida today chaired a review meeting at Zilla Parisad Conference hall on paddy procurement from farmers and advised officials to see that the paddy procurement in the district goes in a smooth and transparent manner. Dhenkanal collector Somes....