Accusing the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) of conducting the Snana Yatra and Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath across the globe in “blatant violation of scriptures and traditions”, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Puri, has claimed such practices “hurt the religious sentiments” of countless devotees.The SJTA has also sent ISKCON a 100-page letter quoting relevant scriptures. “As a last resort”, it has warned of legal action.The 12th-century temple in Puri is considered the Moola Pitha (original seat) of Lord Jagannath, a form of Lord Krishna, where he is worshipped with his two siblings, Lord Balbhadra, and goddess Subhadra. The annual rath yatra of the deities in Puri attracts lakhs of devotees.ISKCON conducts its own yatras (ceremonial processions) separately.Row over timingAccording to the SJTA, which deals with the day-to-day affairs of the shrine, ISKCON has been performing the holy yatras of Lord Jagannath across the globe on random dates for the past several decades, despite requests to follow traditions. It said that in 2025 alone, up to September, Snana Yatra (holy bathing of the deities) was conducted in at least 40 ISKCON temples in India and abroad while Rath Yatra was conducted in at least 68 temples this year.Puri’s erstwhile royal Dibyasingha Deb, also the chairperson of the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee, said that as per several sacred scriptures, it has been the divine commandment of Lord Jagannath himself that the Snana yatra of him and his two siblings should only be performed on the Jyestha Poornima ‘tithi’, the birthday of the Lord.Similarly, Rath Yatra, that commemorates the sojourn of the deities from the 12th-century shrine to their birthplace (Gundicha Temple), should be held on the second day of the Odia month of Ashadha Shukla Tithi (bright fortnight) every year, for nine days.“Performing the holy yatras on any random date violates the sacred traditions and scriptures. The deities should only be removed from their sanctum sanctorum for Snana Yatra and Rath Yatra in accordance with divine commandments,” said Deb.Story continues below this adThe SJTA has also pointed out that religious festivals like Holi, Diwali, Janmashtami, etc, are all celebrated only on their designated days.The SJTA has communicated its objections to ISKCON in the past too. The ISKCON governing council (Bureau) in Mumbai on July 21, 2021, passed a resolution to hold all Ratha Yatras within India according to scriptures and traditions. About events outside India, the governing council said the ISKCON International Headquarters (governing body commission) at Mayapur in West Bengal would take a call.On December 2, 2024, a meeting was held in Puri, in which Deb and the SJTA asked the ISKCON governing body commission to follow traditions. A follow-up meeting was organised on March 20 this year, during which ISKCON presented their written opinions on the issue. Deb said they cited arguments like climatic conditions in different countries and local circumstances to justify their timings.After analysing the arguments presented by ISKCON, the SJTA through its scholars prepared the 100-page document it has now sent to the other side.What nextStory continues below this adDeb said they are hopeful ISKCON will come around, and they would like to solve the issue amicably.“The legal course is the last resort,” said Deb.The Indian Express has reached out to ISKCON for a response on the SJTA’s report.