Puri Gajapati Warns ISKCON Over Violating Jagannath Rituals

In a strong statement, Puri’s meticulous king and Lord Jagannath’s leading maid, Iskcon, said that such parallel festivals have been conducting such parallel festivals globally for about twenty years, and usually ignores Tashis (auspicious timations) and the sacred rules that generally ruled these ceremonies.

Gajapati said, “Srila Prabhupaada time until 1977, ISKCON followed the rituals to a great extent. However, after passing, Rath Yatras began to organize worldwide without commitment to tradition. This year, the festival celebrated the foreseen calendar in 68 locations,” he said.

Although ISKCON’s contribution to spreading Krishna consciousness through temples and the Sankirtan is praised, basic rituals such as Rath Yatra and Snana Yatra should definitely be observed according to tradition. “If Janmashtami can be celebrated at Tashi, Lord Jagannath must have festivals,” he said.

Gajapati announced that Iskcon sent an official communication through E -Post and Courier to the management council in Mayapur, Western Bengal. The letter immediately encourages the corrective action and sets a monthly deadline for compliance. “If no step is taken, we will have to initiate legal measures to protect the sanctity of Jagannath traditions,” he warned.

Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Chief Manager of the Arab Padhee, Iskcon’s reasons were reviewed and rejected. Padhee, “arguments were found to be contrary to both tradition and the Sacred writings. Gajapati’s directive was officially transferred to the authorities of ISKCON,” he said.

Development stems from the attempts to reproduce Jagannath rituals in Odisha, beyond Puri without being connected to their script norms.

Gajapati reiterated that the issue should be solved in a friendly manner with dialogue and respect for tradition, but stressed that it is very important to protect the sanctity of Puri temple customs.