Puri: The authorities of Shree Jagannath Temple in Odisha’s Puri Wednesday urged the district collector of Jaipur in Rajasthan to stop the proposed celebration of Rath Yatra August 16, which is allegedly being conducted in a manner that deviates from the established traditions and scriptural prescriptions.
In a letter to Jaipur district magistrate and collector Sandesh Nayak, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) chief administrator Arabinda Padhee urged the Jaipur district administration to stop the proposed Rath Yatra celebration by withdrawing permission.
The SJTA also enclosed pamphlet/publicity material regarding the proposed Rath Yatra at Jaipur.
The Rath Yatra is being organised by Jaipur Govinda, Shri Radha Madanmohan Mandir and Sevakunj Foundation.
“As you would be aware, Shree Jagannatha Mahaprabhu is worshipped as a universally revered manifestation of the Supreme Lord. The festivals and rituals associated with him, however, are governed by well-established scriptural prescriptions and an unbroken religious tradition centred at Shree Jagannatha Temple, Puri, the Moola Peetha of Lord Jagannatha,” Padhee said in the letter.
The Puri Temple noted that the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath is a specifically prescribed sacred festival, commencing on ‘Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya’ and forming part of the traditional 9-day festival. This year, the Rath Yatra at the Moola Peetha, Puri, commenced July 16, 2026, in accordance with the prescribed Tithi and established religious tradition, with the return journey and subsequent rituals being observed in their prescribed sequence.
“Holding a Rath Yatra on an unrelated date, such as August 16, 2026, therefore constitutes a departure from the prescribed Tithi and the time-honoured tradition of Lord Jagannath worship. The proposed celebration August 16 is consequently inconsistent with the established traditions followed at the Moola Peetha, Puri, and is likely to hurt the religious sentiments of millions of devotees of Lord Jagannath,” the letter said.
Therefore, Padhee urged the Jaipur district authorities to take appropriate administrative steps to stop/withdraw permission for the proposed Rath Yatra on August 16 and advise/direct the organisers not to conduct the ceremonial Rath Yatra on the said date.
Padhee also mentioned that the request is made with due respect to the religious sentiments of all concerned and with the objective of preserving the sanctity and continuity of the established traditions of Lord Jagannath.
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