• Source:JND
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A controversy erupted after the international spiritual organisation the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) announced that it would hold a 'Rath Yatra' in Houston in the USA on November 9, a move which is being protested by the devotees of Lord Jagannath in Odisha. Concerned over the 'untimely' Rath Yatra by the organisation, the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee headed by Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb wrote a letter to the organisation, urging them not to go ahead with the proposed procession.

Meanwhile, the Odisha government too intervened in the matter, with Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan on Saturday saying that he was optimistic that ISKCON would not go ahead with its plan to hold an "untimely" Rath Yatra on November 9, news agency PTI reported.

'Already Stopped Proposed Snana Yatra'

The minister further added that the ISKCON has already stopped the proposed 'Snana Yatra' (bathing ritual) on November 3, taking note of the letter sent by the managing committee of the temple. Harichandan said that he is hopeful that ISKCON won't go ahead with the 'untimely' Yatra plans.

Meanwhile, ISKCON's Houston unit website has removed its plan to hold the 'Snana Yatra' on November 3.

Outrage Amongst Devotees

ISKCON’s proposed "untimely" Rath Yatra has sparked widespread outrage among devotees of Lord Jagannath, who are urging the Odisha government to step in and prevent the event. Gajapati Maharaja has addressed letters to both the chairman of ISKCON’s governing body commission in Mayapur and the president of the ISKCON temple in Houston, calling for adherence to the traditional 'tithi' (sacred date) according to scripture.

He has requested the immediate cancellation of the Rath Yatra planned for November 9.

According to the practice in Puri, the 'Snan Yatra' is conducted on the full moon in the month of 'Jyeshtha', usually in June.

Similarly, the Ratha Yatra or chariot festival is observed on the second day of the bright fortnight of 'Ashadha' month, which falls in June or July.