Saturday, 6 June 2026

Stop Untimely Ratha Yatra

This year's Ratha Yatra is on July 16th.

But, ISKCON has been organising Ratha Yatra on any day, e.g. ISKCON London & ISKCON New Orleans celebrated Ratha Yatra on- May 24, 2026.

A number of cities like New York City, Atlanta City, Edinburgh etc. are celebrating Ratha Yatra on different dates in June!

Ratha Yatra in Puri, Odisha

Our points-

🗓️When most of the days like Janmashtami, Shree Ram Navami, Ekadashi, Dvadashi, Trayodashi, Chaturdashi, etc. are celebrated in accordance with the tithi and on the designated dates as per the calendar, why the exception for our Mahaprabhu's Ratha Jatra?

When there is willpower and intention, there we can expect uniform date celebration.

When organizers take great pains to celebrate western and Indian festivals on the particular dates, why such a "sab chalta hai" ("everything will do" and any date can be picked) attitude for our Ratha Jatra?

This tweet has images of celebrations of other festivals observed by ISKCON- celebrated on the correct dates-

https://x.com/anitaexplorer/status/2052657385492431298?s=20


We have been sharing our views over the years-

X- Twitter threads-

https://x.com/anitaexplorer/status/1232742072584507392?s=20

https://x.com/anitaexplorer/status/2052626710978588704?s=20

Facebook-

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18XjXFkidN/

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FhhpQjJ9M/

ISKCON must not continue such violation of dates.

Shree Jagannatha Temple Puri Administration has been sharing the calendar.

These tithi dates are sacrosanct and have been observed for centuries.

ISKCON must not continue violating dates.

The name of ISKCON itself is derived from "KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS".

Should we not be conscious of what has been written in the Skanda Purana and has been followed for long?

Just like Shree Tam Navami and Shree Krishna Janmashtami are celebrated on the particular dates, along with so many celebrations worldwide.

Shree Jagannatha Temple, Jagannatha Dham, Puri, Odisha, has been observing Ratha Jatra and other celebrations and traditions on the tithi dates for centuries.

Puri Gajapati Maharaja has shared guidelines.

Organisers abroad may plan to celebrate Ratha Yatra on a suitable date (weekend) during the 9-day Ratha Jatra period between Ratha Jatra & Bahuda Jatra:

This year 2026 dates- 

Ratha Jatra- July 16 & Bahuda Jatra- July 24

Puri Gajapati Maharaja has written many letters, and stated that organisers outside India may choose to celebrate on a suitable date during the Ratha Jatra period.

e.g. This year, if it is not possible to celebrate on July 16th- Ratha Jatra day as it is a weekday and devotees cannot join, the weekend date can be decided-

Within the 9 days, between Ratha Jatra and Bahuda Jatra, organisers abroad can decide to celebrate Ratha Jatra in the weekend- either Saturday/Sunday and attract maximum participation-

This year, the weekend dates within the 9-Day Ratha Jatra period-

July 18- Saturday

July 19- Sunday

We understand that Ratha Jatra is much loved and many bhaktas want to participate.

More than one month is there for the preparation, and to get all the necessary permissions, and make all arrangements for a grand Ratha Yatra celebration in the above-mentioned July dates.

Why celebrate it months in advance or months later, as per whims and fancies?

Why not maintain uniformity and avoid confusion and misrepresentation?

Do we celebrate Christmas or Holi or Diwali in May or any other month or day apart from the decided date?

As an Odia, Indian, Sanatani, and Shree Jagannatha bhakta, if we do not raise our voices and share our views, we'd be indirectly allowing such wrong things to continue, and wrong message and info and celebration will be in the news:(

Wrong things happen when the right things are not pursued.

It is our responsibility to ensure that uniformity is maintained for the date, and share loudly and clearly that such a "sab chalta hai" attitude will not be tolerated when it comes to Shree Jagannatha culture.

If more people demand the right things and ensure that things are done right, and oppose and protest against something against our culture, the organisers will stop such untimely events, fearing backlash if they flout the rules.

To ensure Ratha Jatra date uniformity worldwide & stop cultural misrepresentation, we request urgent intervention & necessary action.

The Ratha Jatra celebration must be organised on the right date, and definitely not much ahead of the main Temple in Puri, Odisha, India.


In Odia, it's said- "Chaka Akhi Sabu Dekhuchi"

Shree Jagannatha is watching everything.

Jaya Jagannatha Mahaprabhu

- A Shree Jagannatha Bhakta

-------------------------------------

"Odias living abroad, locals oppose 'untimely' Rath Yatra in USA, Europe"

- News report published in the Times of India-

Pages- 1 & 2- Dated- 24 May, 2026

Odias living abroad, locals have been opposing such 'untimely' Rath Yatra in the USA, Europe etc.

As per Dr. Chandra Sekhar Khuntia, "Indian embassies should be asked to officially oppose the untimely Rath Yatra abroad."

Thanks for giving this the importance & focus it deserves, Team TOI Journalist Arunika Mohapatra.

Ratha Yatra must be celebrated worldwide by following the cultural traditions and beliefs, just like other festivals are celebrated.

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