Bhubaneswar: Followers of Lord Jagannath in Odisha are expressing their discontent with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) for deviating from the traditional schedule of the Rath Yatra and instead celebrating the event on arbitrary dates throughout the year.

Protests intensified against ISKCON’s decision to hold Rath Yatras internationally on dates that differ from the customary observance in Puri, with a significant turnout demonstrating in Bhubaneswar on Sunday.

Participants, holding banners and placards, assembled under the banner of ‘We for Bhubaneswar’ and conducted a peaceful protest in front of the ISKCON temple.

Emphasizing that the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath is designated by specific dates as outlined in religious texts, the demonstrators claimed that the organization’s timing of the festivities is disrespectful to the feelings of millions of devotees.

During the protest, they presented their demands in a calm manner, urging ISKCON to rethink its approach and honor the traditions of Lord Jagannath’s culture. The agitation followed ISKCON’s reported dismissal of an appeal from Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, which called for a unified date for the Rath Yatra worldwide based on scripture.

The situation remains contentious as ISKCON has announced its annual Rath Yatra in Los Angeles for August 2. Notably, acclaimed sand artist Sudarshan Pattnaik has also urged ISKCON’s leadership to honor Jagannath traditions and cancel any Rath Yatras scheduled outside the traditional timeframe.

Discussions among devotees regarding the ongoing controversy are prevalent, with many advocating for a consistent observance of the festival according to the customs upheld by the 12th-century Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri.

Additionally, Satwatapati Das, president of the Bhubaneswar ISKCON chapter, has reportedly stated that organizing Rath Yatras outside the traditional schedule is inappropriate, appealing to the Governing Body Commission (GBC) of ISKCON to reassess its position.

He highlighted that the Gajapati Maharaja of Puri, recognized as the primary servitor of Lord Jagannath, has already requested adherence to the traditional calendar. Das emphasized the need for ISKCON to honor the religious sentiments of Jagannath devotees and ensure consistency by celebrating the Rath Yatra on the same date globally.