Puri, June 6: Puri Gajapati Maharaja Divyasingha Deba has expressed strong concern over the growing trend of conducting Rath Yatras outside the traditional schedule, stating that preparations are currently underway for such events at nearly 70 locations. He said these untimely Rath Yatras hurt the religious sentiments of devotees of Lord Jagannath and urged the President of India to intervene and stop the practice.

The Gajapati had earlier raised the issue during a key meeting of the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee at the temple office. He noted that despite repeated appeals, ISKCON continues to organize untimely Rath Yatras, particularly in countries outside India.

Meanwhile, the temple management committee is also planning measures to curb the practice. During the meeting, it was decided that after the completion of the Niladri Bije ritual, a delegation of the committee will meet the Prime Minister and the President of India to apprise them of the issue and seek appropriate action against the organization of untimely Rath Yatras by ISKCON.