A high-stakes global gathering in Puri has just wrapped up with a clear message for ISKCON: stop holding Rath Yatra celebrations on the "wrong" dates. The three-day conclave, organised by Shree Jagannath Chintan and Chetana Worldwide (SJCCW), brought together devotees from over 24 countries to address what they see as a serious violation of religious tradition. The event wasn't just a casual meeting; it was backed by the heavyweights of the faith, including the Puri Shankaracharya and the titular king of Puri, Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb.
The heart of the dispute lies in the calendar. According to Hindu scriptures, the Rath Yatra must be held on the Asadha Shukla Paksha Dwitiya Tithi (usually in June or July). However, ISKCON has long argued that trying to sync the festival to a single date across every time zone is a logistical nightmare, leading them to host the chariot festival at different times of the year abroad. This did not sit well with the Puri temple management. Dibyasingha Deb was blunt in his criticism, calling ISKCON’s refusal to stick to the scriptural dates "unacceptable to any Sanatani Hindu."
The tension didn't stop at the calendar, though. The Gajapati Maharaja also took aim at the West Bengal government’s new temple in Digha. He criticised the fact that it’s being called "Jagannath Dham," arguing that Puri is the only place entitled to that title because it is where the Lord actually resides. The Digha temple, which is a replica of the Puri shrine and managed by ISKCON, has clearly become another flashpoint in this long-running feud. Moving forward, the conclave’s participants have pledged to launch a worldwide awareness campaign to pressure organisers into following the traditional Vedic timeline.
Also read: SC gives split verdict in ISKCON Mumbai's review 'plea'
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