Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, the Puri king and chairman of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration, has taken a firm stand against a proposed Jagannath Rath Yatra in Dehradun. He sent a strongly worded letter to Swami Paramananda Maharaj, who serves as president of the Radha Govinda Temple at Madhuban Ashram in Rishikesh.
Objection to Arbitrary Dates
The Puri king explicitly asked the ashram not to conduct the Rath Yatra in Dehradun on January 15. He expressed clear disapproval of the ashram's repeated organization of these processions on dates that deviate from tradition. The Gajapati labeled this practice a direct violation of scriptural injunctions. He emphasized that it contradicts the established date followed by the Puri Jagannath Temple.
Historical Context of the Dispute
In his letter dated January 10, Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb referenced a previous objection. He had raised concerns about a Rath Yatra held by the same ashram in Rishikesh on October 7, 2025. The king stated he has now received information about subsequent events. The ashram reportedly conducted another Rath Yatra in Haridwar after the Rishikesh event. It then proposed the new procession in Dehradun for mid-January.
The Puri king articulated a core theological point in his communication. He asserted that performing the Rath Yatra on any day outside the sacred nine-day period constitutes a blatant transgression. He described this as going against the divine command of the Supreme Lord.
Scholarly Opinion and Final Warning
Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb reminded the ashram leadership of a critical scholarly decision. Temple administration scholars issued a final opinion on September 2, 2025. This opinion categorically stated that the auspicious day, or tithi, for the festival cannot be altered under any circumstances. The king's letter serves as a reinforcement of this definitive ruling.
This is not the first time the Gajapati has addressed such issues. He had previously urged other organizations, including Iskcon, to follow the scriptures faithfully. His consistent message is that the festival must be performed only within the designated auspicious nine-day window to maintain its sanctity and adherence to tradition.
