A fresh controversy has erupted over ISKCON’s decision to organise Rath Yatra in Florida, USA, ahead of the scheduled tithi of Lord Jagannath’s annual Rath Yatra, drawing strong reactions from Jagannath devotees and sevayat organisations in Odisha.

According to information circulating on social media, ISKCON is set to organise the Rath Yatra in Florida on Saturday between 3 pm and 6 pm local time. The announcement has triggered criticism from sections of the Jagannath community, who allege that holding the Rath Yatra on a non-tithi day amounts to disrespecting Jagannath culture and tradition.

Sevayat bodies raise objections

Members of various sevayat organisations and Jagannath devotees have strongly objected to the proposed event, stating that repeated appeals regarding the observance of Rath Yatra traditions are being ignored.

State Mutt Mandir Sevayat Sangha president Kameswar Tripathy said Lord Jagannath’s culture holds a unique place in Sanatan Dharma and urged both the Central and Odisha governments to ensure that the sanctity of these traditions is preserved.

“Jagannath culture is deeply rooted in Sanatan Dharma and carries immense spiritual significance. I do not wish to comment much on ISKCON, but I appeal to both the Central and State governments to take appropriate steps so that the traditions and rituals associated with Lord Jagannath are not affected,” he said.

Rupakar sevayat Rajendra Mohapatra also criticised the practice of organising Rath Yatra outside the traditional tithi observed at Puri’s Srimandir and appealed to Odias living abroad to follow the same schedule.

“I would request Odias living in countries like the US and UK not to organise Rath Yatra on dates outside the traditional tithi. Rath Yatra should be observed when it is celebrated in Puri. If the rituals are performed in sync with Srimandir traditions, it will emotionally connect devotees across the world,” he said.

Another Rupakar Sevayat, Purnachandra Mohapatra, alleged that several rituals linked to Lord Jagannath are being organised abroad without adherence to the traditional calendar followed at Srimandir.

“Rath Yatra, Snana Yatra and several other rituals of Lord Jagannath have designated tithis and traditions attached to them. These rituals should be observed accordingly. Performing them on non-tithi days is not appropriate. I request Prime Minister Narendra Modi to look into the matter,” he said.

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The issue has once again reignited the debate over the observance of Jagannath rituals abroad and on dates that do not align with the traditional tithi followed in Puri.

Meanwhile, no official response from ISKCON regarding the criticism had been received till the filing of this report.