Gajapati Maharaj Requests ISKCON to Honor Traditional Dates
The Chairman of the Shree Jagannatha Temple Managing Committee in Puri, Gajapati Maharaj Dibyasingha Deb, has reached out to ISKCON Temple in Houston. He wrote to HG Saranga Thakur Dasa, the President of ISKCON Houston, urging them to celebrate the ‘Rath Yatra’ and ‘Snana Yatra’ on dates that align with Hindu traditions.
ISKCON Houston plans to hold the ‘Snana Yatra’ on November 3 and ‘Rath Yatra’ on November 9, which Gajapati Maharaj states are not in accordance with scriptural guidelines. He emphasized the importance of adhering to sacred scriptures and traditions, urging ISKCON to postpone these events to the appropriate dates.
Gajapati Maharaj also addressed a letter to Guru Prasad Swami Maharaj, Chairman of the ISKCON Governing Body Commission in Mayapur, West Bengal. He requested that ISKCON centers worldwide celebrate these festivals on dates sanctioned by scriptures. He noted that ISKCON centers in Nigeria plan to celebrate the Ratha-yatra on November 23, which also deviates from traditional dates.
He referenced a resolution by the ISKCON India Governing Council, which mandates that Indian centers follow traditional dates. However, he expressed concern that centers outside India continue to celebrate on varying dates, affecting the sentiments of devotees globally.
Doubts Revealed
Gajapati Maharaj -: Gajapati Maharaj is a title given to the king of Puri, a city in India. The current Gajapati Maharaj is Dibyasingha Deb, who is an important figure in the management of the famous Jagannath Temple.
ISKCON -: ISKCON stands for the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. It is a religious organization that promotes the teachings of Lord Krishna, a Hindu deity.
Rath Yatra -: Rath Yatra is a famous Hindu festival where deities are taken out on a chariot ride. It is especially celebrated in Puri, Odisha, and attracts many devotees.
Snana Yatra -: Snana Yatra is a Hindu festival where deities are given a ceremonial bath. It is an important event in the Jagannath Temple rituals.
Scriptural guidelines -: Scriptural guidelines refer to the rules and instructions found in religious texts. These guidelines help followers know how to properly celebrate festivals and perform rituals.
Resolution by ISKCON India -: A resolution by ISKCON India means that the Indian branch of ISKCON has made an official decision or statement. In this case, they support following traditional dates for festivals.