The ISKCON Governing Body reportedly agreed to observe the Snana Yatra on "Jyestha Purnima," but refused to celebrate the Rath Yatra on "Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya" tithi, the traditional date prescribed in the scriptures. The Chairman of the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee and Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb urged the body on Tuesday to strictly adhere to scriptural traditions and conduct the Rath Yatra only during the nine-day auspicious period beginning on Asadha Shukla-paksha Dwitiya Tithi each year.The Gajapati raised worry over ISKCON's ongoing practice of holding Rath Yatra on arbitrary dates across different countries in a thorough letter to ISKCON Chairman Shree Govardhana Das, describing it as a "violation of sacred scriptures and well-established tradition."
Devotees have responded strongly to allegations that ISKCON has stated that it is unwilling to hold the Rath Yatra overseas over the festival's nine days.
In a severe letter to ISKCON, Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb reiterated that the scriptural calendar (shastric tithi) must be properly followed for the celebration of both the Rath and Snana Yatras.
On October 19, the chairman of ISKCON's Governing Body Commission (GBC) wrote to the Gajapati Maharaja to advise him of their intention to not observe the Rath Yatra overseas for the customary nine-day period.
Gajapati Maharaja replied by writing to ISKCON to ask them to change their mind and stick to the conventional timetable."Thank you for deciding that, in accordance with our sacred texts and long-standing custom, all ISKCON Temples worldwide should only celebrate Snana-yatra on Jyestha-poornima tithi going forward in remembrance of the "Birthday" of Shree Chaturdha Daru Vigrahas.However, your choice to continue conducting the Shree Jagannath Rath Yatra at your many temples outside of India on arbitrary dates throughout the year, in defiance of the explicit instructions of sacred scriptures and long-standing tradition, gravely concerns and disappoints us. In my email of September 6, 2025, which is our Final Decision in this matter, I explained in detail the reasons and justifications for conducting the Shree Jagannath Rath Yatra worldwide only during the auspicious nine-day period starting on Asadha Shukla-paksha Dvitiya Tithi. I need not repeat them here. However, I would like to make a brief reference to the arguments made in your letter under reference," stated Gajapati Maharaja's letter.

"I agree with you that Rath Yatra can only be performed on weekends in nations outside of India. Shree Jagannath Rath Yatra may be held on a weekend that falls within the auspicious nine-day period starting from Asadha Shukla-paksha Dvitiya Tithi, as stated in our Final Decision that was sent to you on September 6. However, it cannot be celebrated on a weekend that falls outside of the aforementioned nine-day period. The mode and manner of celebrating the Shree Jagannath Rath Yatra in different countries around the world may be modified to suit local conditions and circumstances (such as local customs, governmental regulations, or climatic conditions), as stated in our aforementioned Final Decision. However, the tithis for carrying out the yatra cannot be changed under any circumstances.

As you are well known, ISKCON offers other programs to spread Shree Jagannath Rath Yatra and Krishna Consciousness or Shree Jagannath Sanskriti globally. There is no need or excuse for breaking the explicit rules of sacred texts and long-standing custom by performing Ratha-yatra on arbitrary dates in order to achieve the goals of your prestigious organisation, as previously stated. Hari Nama-sankirtana, public discourse programs, book distribution, and other religious and spiritual activities carried out by ISKCON Temples throughout the year adequately promote the noble objectives of ISKCON. Outside of the nine-day time allotted for Shree Jagannatha Ratha-yatra, ISKCON may even think about having Ratha-yatra on auspicious tithis throughout the year by bringing Utsava-Vigrahas that are erected in ISKCON Temples out in procession.

Such yatras shall not be advertised as Shree Jagannath Rath Yatra, nor should the images of Rathas used during the Rath Yatra be used for these yatras, so order to avoid any confusion in the minds of the general people in this regard. According to our Scholars Final Opinion from September 2, 2025 (which I sent you via email on September 6, 2025), Shree Chaturdha Daru Vigrahas are "Moola Vigrahas" rather than "Utsava Vigrahas." The ISKCON Scholars Board has already acknowledged our scholars' belief that Moola Vigrahas cannot be removed from Their Throne in the Garbha-griha following their installation and consecration, as is expressly stated in scripture and tradition.