The Odia diaspora spread across the USA, Europe, and Canada is protesting what they describe as “untimely rath and snana yatra” by Iskcon. They argue that this practice contradicts the scriptures and traditions of the annual yatra held in Puri, the abode of Lord Jagannath, Subhadra, and Balabhadra.
SJTA's Response
Arabinda Padhee, chief administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), stated that Iskcon has given written assurance that it will organize Rath Yatra in India during the nine-day period in July. However, it continues with plans to hold yatras on other dates abroad. “We have been relatively successful in stopping Rath Yatra by Iskcon in India. We submitted a 90-page document based on researchers' opinions on the timing of Rath Yatra to Iskcon. But they are continuing outside India. The SJTA managing committee, headed by the Gajapati, will take a final decision on this,” he said.
This year, Rath Yatra will be held in Puri on July 16, corresponding to Asadha Shukla Pakhya Dwitiya tithi.
Iskcon's Plans and Diaspora Actions
Sources indicate that Iskcon is considering a Rath Yatra in London and New Orleans on May 24, as per its X post and flyers. On May 2, members of the Odia diaspora, including the Odisha Society of UK (OSUK), Shree Jagannath Society, and Prabashi Odia UK, approached Iskcon authorities in London to request cancellation. They submitted their representation to Shree Nila Madhav Das, managing director of Iskcon UK, Bhaktivedanta Manor, Watford.
“Iskcon is very adamant about going ahead with the Rath Yatra. We have decided to appeal to the President of India, the Prime Minister, and the Chief Minister of West Bengal to stop this practice, which is against scriptures and traditions,” said Sukanta Sahu, general secretary of OSUK.
Earlier, Odias in Florida submitted a memorandum and signatures to Bhadradas, also known as Subash Seth, president of Festival of Chariots Inc., a non-profit organization, opposing celebrations scheduled for May 16 in Florida.
“We are making efforts, but we do not know if it will have an effect,” said Kiron Senapati, president of Tampa Bay Ratha Yatra Association. He was accompanied by Shyam S Mohapatra, president of Shree Jagannatha Sanskriti United, who initiated a project named “SURYa” (Stop Untimely Ratha Yatra). “Iskcon has been organizing Rath Yatra untimely since the late 1970s. We are trying to organize protests by writing letters explaining why this deviates from the tradition and why it is wrong. We have launched a signature campaign and collected many signatures,” he said.
On May 16, Odias in Johannesburg also opposed the untimely Rath Yatra by Iskcon in South Africa.
Iskcon's Stance
When contacted, Jagathguru Jayadev Das, general manager of Iskcon Mayapur, acknowledged that Rath Yatra is being organized abroad on different dates. “In India, we are organizing Rath Yatra on the date in accordance with the Supreme Court order,” he said.
Echoes in Odisha
The concerns of the Odia diaspora have found resonance within Odisha. Cultural researcher Anita Sabat voiced her opposition on X, asking, “When Janmashtami, Shree Ram Navami, Ekadashi, Dwadashi, Trayodashi, Chaturdashi, etc., are celebrated in accordance with the tithi and on designated dates as per the calendar, why the exception for our Mahaprabhu’s Ratha Jatra?”
Similarly, Chandrasekhar Khuntia, a dentist from Bargarh who previously lived in the UAE, noted that the Odia diaspora used to organize Rath Yatra on its proper day in Dubai. “Indian embassies should be asked to officially oppose untimely Rath Yatra abroad,” he said.
