ISKCON Cancels Houston Rath Yatra
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has decided to cancel the planned ‘Rath Yatra’ in Houston, USA, which was scheduled for November 9. This decision was made following opposition from devotees of Lord Jagannath, who were concerned about the timing of the event.
Respecting Devotee Sentiments
According to a statement from ISKCON, the cancellation was made to respect the sentiments of Odiya devotees. Instead, ISKCON will hold a Gour Nitai Sankirtan Yatra on the same day. Yudhistir Govinda Prabhu, ISKCON’s National Communications Director, announced the change after discussions with Anuttama Prabhu, a member of ISKCON’s Governing Body Commission.
Concerns Over Traditional Dates
Earlier, Gajapati Maharaj Dibyasingha Deb, Chairman of the Shree Jagannatha Temple Managing Committee in Puri, expressed concerns in a letter to ISKCON Houston’s President, HG Saranga Thakur Dasa. He requested that the ‘Rath Yatra’ and ‘Snana Yatra’ be celebrated on dates that align with Hindu traditions, as the proposed dates were contrary to scriptural injunctions.
Global Adherence to Tradition
Gajapati Maharaj also wrote to the Chairman of ISKCON’s Governing Body Commission in Mayapur, West Bengal, urging global adherence to traditional dates for these festivals. He noted that ISKCON centres in Nigeria plan to hold a ‘Rath Yatra’ on November 23, which also raised concerns about adherence to traditional dates.
Doubts Revealed
ISKCON -: ISKCON stands for the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. It is a religious organization that follows the teachings of Lord Krishna and promotes the practice of Bhakti Yoga.
Rath Yatra -: Rath Yatra is a Hindu festival that involves a grand procession of deities, especially Lord Jagannath, on chariots. It is a popular festival in India, particularly in the state of Odisha.
Houston -: Houston is a large city in the state of Texas, USA. It is known for its diverse culture and is home to many people from different parts of the world, including India.
Lord Jagannath -: Lord Jagannath is a deity worshipped in Hinduism, particularly in the state of Odisha, India. He is considered a form of Lord Krishna and is the central figure in the Rath Yatra festival.
Gour Nitai Sankirtan Yatra -: Gour Nitai Sankirtan Yatra is a religious procession that involves singing and chanting the names of Lord Chaitanya (Gour) and Nityananda (Nitai), who are important figures in the Gaudiya Vaishnavism tradition.
Gajapati Maharaj Dibyasingha Deb -: Gajapati Maharaj Dibyasingha Deb is the current king of Puri, a city in Odisha, India. He is considered the traditional custodian of the Jagannath Temple and plays a significant role in the Rath Yatra festival.
scriptural guidelines -: Scriptural guidelines refer to the rules and instructions found in religious texts that followers are expected to adhere to. In this context, it means following the traditional dates and practices for religious festivals.