ISKCON sticks to flexible dates for Rath Yatra against Jagannath temple administration’s insistence on same date

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) on Wednesday (December 24, 2025) asserted its position of holding Rath Yatra on flexible dates despite the insistence of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) in Odisha that the annual Yatra be held on the same date across the globe.

In a statement, ISKCON said that, in a 95-page document released in September, the SJTA had questioned ISKCON’s practice of celebrating the chariot festival on varying dates worldwide, arguing that scriptural prescriptions regarding tithis (sacred dates) cannot be altered under any circumstances.

The ISKCON India Scholars Board (IISB) has issued a detailed response to SJTA’s stand. “IISB has since provided a comprehensive rebuttal with extensive scriptural citations, to which the SJTA has not yet issued a counter-response. The IISB’s response, structured across five scholarly sections, contends that multiple scriptures, including the Skanda Puraṇa and Prasna Saṁhita, provide for alternative dates for Rathayatra observances,” ISKCON said.

The board argued that the Puri temple’s svayaṁbhu (self-manifested) deities were distinct from ISKCON’s Pancaratrika-installed deities, which may follow different ritual guidelines. The exchange had been marked by assertions and counter-assertions regarding engagement, it further said.

According to ISKCON, prior to the recent document exchange, a face-to-face scholarly meeting was held on March 20, 2025, in Bhubaneswar, where IISB representatives presented their scriptural evidence before SJTA scholars in the presence of Gajapati King Dibyasingh Deb.

ISKCON further said its representatives maintained that they had provided substantive scriptural responses on multiple occasions through both written submissions and direct dialogue.

“The IISB expressed concern that despite these engagements and documented responses available on their website, statements continue to be made suggesting a lack of reply from their (SJTA) side,” ISKCON pointed out.

IISB cited the principle of “manaḥ kṛṣṇe nivesayet” (fixing the mind on Krishna) as justification, arguing that facilitating devotional remembrance took precedence when rigid observance prevented public participation.

It emphasised that ISKCON rigorously observed other festival tithis like Janmaṣṭami and Ekadasi, and that flexibility in Rath Yatra dates represented a legitimate scriptural option (vikalpa) rather than violation.