Puri, July 5: Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb has written to the Governing Body Commission (GBC) of ISKCON, urging it to ensure that celebrations of Lord Jagannatha's Snana atra and Ratha yatra across the world are observed strictly in accordance with Vedic scriptures and long-established traditions.
In a detailed letter dated July 4, 2026, addressed to ISKCON GBC Chairman Shree Madhusevita Dasa Prabhu, the Chairman of the Shree Jagannatha Temple Managing Committee (SJTA), expressed concern over what he described as continuing deviations in the observance of these festivals by certain ISKCON centres, particularly outside India.
“As you aware, over the last couple of decades, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration, Puri, which is in-charge of the administrative affairs of the Moola-peetha of Lord Jagannath in Puri, has engaged in a dialogue with your organization regarding celebration of Shree Jagannath Snana-yatra and Ratha-Yatra world world-wide in accordance with sacred scriptures and ancient well-established tradition,” wrote the Gajapati Maharaja.
The letter cites the final opinion the final opinion of the SJTA scholars, along with endorsements from prominent Shakaracharyas and Vaishanavacharyas. It also refers to the Skanda Purana. Stating that Lord Jagannath’s Ratha-yatra is described as a Navadinatmaka Yatra-a sacred festival lasting nine days.
“In December 2024, upon the suggestion of H.H. Guru Prasad Swami Maharaj (then GBC Chairman), a scholar’s meeting was held at Bhubaneswar on 20th March 2025. The views submitted at that meeting by the members of ISKCON scholars Board were thoroughly analysed b SJTA Scholars and were to be unacceptable. In their learned opinion on 2nd September 2025, SJTA Scholars have held that, according to scriptures and tradition, both within India and abroad, Snana-Yatra is to be performed only on Jyestha-poornima Tithi while Ratha-yatra, which is a nine-day festival (navadinatmaka-yatra), can commence only on Ashadha Shukla-paksha Dvitiya tithi. They firmly stated that the afrosaid sacred festivals cannot be held on any others Tithi/date during the year ,” said the Gajapati Maharaja.
The letter includes several annexures containing previous correspondence, scholarly opinions, scriptural reference and supporting documents.
The Gajapati Maharaja urged the ISKCON to preserve the sanctity and glory of Lord Jagannath’s sacred festivals through faithful adherence to traditional observances.
“It is pertinent to state here that celebration of sacred Snana-yatra and Ratha-yatra in contravention of holy scriptures and ancient well-established tradition is hurting the religious sentiments of countless devotees around the world,” said the Gajapati Maharaja.
“I trust that, in the interest of preserving and propagating world-wide the glory of Lord Jagannath in conformity with scriptures and tradition, the above urgent and vital matters will receive your favourable and prompt consideration,” added the Gajapati Maharaja.
