With Puri gearing up for the flagship Rath Yatra on 16th July, Puri’s titular king and SJTMC chairman, Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, has urged ISKCON to stop conducting processions on unscriptural dates. He warned that deviations from the Jagannath Temple calendar hurt devotees’ sentiments and undermine a core tradition.
A fresh appeal and a global calendar clash
In a letter to ISKCON Governing Body Commission chairman Shri Madhusevita Das Prabhu in Mayapur, Deb asked the body to reconsider its October 2025 decision allowing country-specific dates. The temple administration also claimed processions were being held arbitrarily in 70 cities outside India.
A day before this latest appeal, ISKCON held a Rath Yatra in Nairobi, Kenya. Processions were also organised in London on 21st June, New York City on 14th June, and Sydney on 5th July. Deb argued such scheduling departs from the Jagannath Temple’s scripturally fixed calendar.
Why these dates matter in Puri
According to the Hindu calendar followed in Puri, Rath Yatra is always held on Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya. This year, Snana Purnima fell on 29th June, with the chariot festival slated for 16th July. Deb says these observances are integral and non-negotiable.
He also flagged a parallel issue with Snana Yatra. The temple administration says ISKCON had earlier assured it would observe Snana Yatra only on Jyeshtha Purnima. However, Deb enclosed a list of Snana Yatras held after 1st May in several cities, urging ISKCON to align all temples with Jyeshtha Purnima.
Scriptural footing and tradition
Deb cited the Skanda Purana, attributed to Maharishi Vedavyasa, to state that Lord Jagannath Himself prescribed the dates for Snana Yatra and Rath Yatra. He emphasised that Rath Yatra is a nine-day festival beginning only on Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya, and that altering dates breaks with ancient practice.
Domestic flashpoint: 66 events in Madhya Pradesh
The Gajapati Maharaja objected to ISKCON Ujjain’s plan to conduct Rath Yatras at 66 locations across Madhya Pradesh between 16th July and 25th July. He argued that dispersing processions across dates conflicts with the nine-day structure laid down in scripture.
The objections add a new layer to a recurring dispute. Deb had made similar requests in 2024 and 2025, seeking overseas compliance with the Puri calendar. The debate intensified in 2026 after processions were staged abroad weeks ahead of the official Puri date.
ISKCON’s response and practical constraints
ISKCON, responding to earlier objections from the Puri temple administration, has said aligning with Puri everywhere is not always feasible. It cited differences in climate, government regulations and local cultural factors across countries as practical limits.
The organisation told the temple authorities: “In Russia, weather conditions, government regulations and local cultural circumstances are often not conducive to conducting Rath Yatra on the dates prescribed in the scriptures.” ISKCON argues these factors can necessitate scheduling flexibility.
What to watch as Puri prepares
While the calendar row plays out, preparations in Puri are nearly complete. Construction of the three chariots has reached its final stage, with around 220 carpenters, assistants and painters working round the clock to meet the 16th July deadline.
Here is what Deb is asking ISKCON to do next:
– Reconsider the October 2025 decision on variable dates
– Hold Rath Yatra only on Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya
– Observe Snana Yatra only on Jyeshtha Purnima worldwide
The temple administration maintains that unity of date preserves the sanctity of Lord Jagannath’s festival. ISKCON maintains that same-day celebrations are not always possible abroad. For now, both sides are being urged to find alignment before the chariots roll in Puri on 16th July.
