TNI Bureau: The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Puri, has rejected ISKCON’s New Delhi press release on Ratha Jatra celebrations abroad, terming it misleading and contrary to established temple traditions. The SJTA has also decided to send a high-level delegation to meet the President and the Prime Minister, seeking their intervention over the conduct of Rath Yatras on dates other than the prescribed festival period.

In a statement, the SJTA said ISKCON’s claim that Ratha Jatra can be held throughout the year is not supported by scriptures or Jagannath temple traditions. It stated that the issue was discussed at a meeting of scholars in Bhubaneswar in March 2025, where arguments put forward by ISKCON representatives were rejected by temple scholars. The administration maintained that Ratha Jatra should begin only on Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya and that the prescribed dates cannot be altered.

The SJTA further said it had repeatedly urged ISKCON to follow the traditional festival schedule and had communicated its views to the organisation’s governing body. It also clarified that Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb has never endorsed untimely Ratha Jatras and had advised against such celebrations. Following continued off-schedule Rath Yatras and Snana Jatras in several countries, the temple managing committee has decided to seek the intervention of national authorities after this year’s Ratha Jatra concludes in Puri.