By Express News Service, 10th September 2019 03:39 PM
BHUBANESWAR:
The Gajapati king of Puri and Chairman of Sri Jagannath Temple Managing Committee Dibyasingha Deb has advised the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) not to hold Rath Yatra on days other than the specified day.
Speaking to media persons on Tuesday, the Puri king said according to scriptures, long-standing tradition and statutory provision, Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath at Puri commences from the second day of the bright fortnight of Asadha month and concludes with the reinstallation of the deities on the Ratnasinghasana on the twelfth/thirteenth day of the bright fortnight.
“Organising Rath Yatra on days other than the auspicious tithis (days) is against the scriptural injunction and established tradition. Sri Jagannath Temple Managing Committee had earlier passed a resolution on the matter and objected holding of Rath Yatra by ISKCON at Ludhiana and Delhi in 2007,” he said.
The Gajapati Maharaja said he had written to the Chairman of Governing Body Commission, ISKCON, Mayapur (West Bengal) in 2008 urging them to hold Rath Yatra on the specific date as observed in Puri.
According to tradition and custom of Sanatana Vedic Dharma, he said the presiding deities do not leave the throne in the sanctum sanatorium of the temple. It is the ‘chalanti pratima’ representing the presiding deities are taken out of the temple on various festive occasions.
However, as per an exception made in in the tradition of Lord Jagannath, the presiding deities, in order to bless everyone with their sacred darshan, come out of the temple on two auspicious occasions ‘snan yatra’ (Bath Festival) on Jyestha Purnima and Rath Yatra, he said.
“There is no sanction either in the scriptures or tradition for the performance of the festivals of the Lord on any other day like many other sacred festivals including Sri Krishna Janmashtami, Mahashivaratri, Sri Ram Navami and Durga Puja, which are observed on the days specified across the globe,” the king pointed out.
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So far the date of the Rathayatra festival, it is to be on the 28th of June, and will continue for 8 days. There are two festivals; one going, and one returning. So you can make plans like that. SPL Upendra, Allston, 68-05-03
28th June 1968: Friday, RY day in Puri
Regarding the exact date for celebration of Rathayatra Festival, it is on the 5th July until the return journey of Lord Jagannatha on the 14th July. SPL Shyamasundara, Los Angeles, 70-02-21
5th July 1970: Sunday, RY day in Puri
Regarding Rathayatra, you can change the date according to a suitable time. You may hold it in Paris whenever it is the best time. It will attract many persons. Please do it.
SPL Bhagavan, Vrindaban, 76-11-07
They should be overjoyed that Lord Jaganatha is being worshiped all over the world. They still do not allow western devotee into the temple in Jaganatha Puri do they? Srila Prabhupada wrote to the temple authorities to allow his disciples entrance but they probably did not even reply. Jaganath is for everyone. Hare Krishna.
They should be overjoyed that Lord Jaganatha is being worshiped all over the world. They still do not allow western devotee into the temple in Jaganatha Puri do they? Srila Prabhupada wrote to the temple authorities to allow his disciples entrance but they probably did not even reply. Jaganath is for everyone. Hare Krishna.
So far the date of the Rathayatra festival, it is to be on the 28th of June, and will continue for 8 days. There are two festivals; one going, and one returning. So you can make plans like that. SPL Upendra, Allston, 68-05-03
28th June 1968: Friday, RY day in Puri
Regarding the exact date for celebration of Rathayatra Festival, it is on the 5th July until the return journey of Lord Jagannatha on the 14th July. SPL Shyamasundara, Los Angeles, 70-02-21
5th July 1970: Sunday, RY day in Puri
Regarding Rathayatra, you can change the date according to a suitable time. You may hold it in Paris whenever it is the best time. It will attract many persons. Please do it.
SPL Bhagavan, Vrindaban, 76-11-07