Overseas events spark fresh debate on Jagannath tradition
ISKCON Rath Yatra
ISKCON has again conducted off-schedule Rath Yatra celebrations outside India.
Such events have raised fresh controversy within the devotees of Jagannath.
As per media reports, ISKCON conducted Rath Yatras on June 27 and 28.
Such celebrations occurred in Canada, England, Germany, and some more European cities.
On June 27, ISKCON conducted Rath Yatras in Milton and St. John’s in Newfoundland.
Also, the chariot was pulled by devotees in Vancouver on June 28.
On the other hand, off-schedule Snana Yatra was conducted by ISKCON in Toronto and Berkeley on June 28.
Likewise, such celebrations were organized in Leicester, England, and Cologne, Germany.
These critics say that such events violate the ritualistic celebrations of Jagannath in Puri.
But, the proposed Rath Yatra scheduled to be celebrated in Paris on June 28 has been cancelled by the local police.
This was because of health-related issues, leading to hospitalization of people.
Therefore, the police did not allow the festival.
The celebrations have generated mixed feelings among the followers of Jagannath and cultural institutions.
A number of organizations are protesting against these festivals being held out of schedule.
They are documenting flyers, letters, pictures, and videos.
Additionally, the organizations are sending representations to the concerned authorities via online portals.
This issue has added fuel to the debate on maintaining Jagannath traditions in Puri.
The followers have repeatedly raised doubts about the justification of such festivals being held outside schedule.
ISKCON Rath Yatra
