"A huge blow...": Acclaimed sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik reacts to ISKCON's 'untimely' Rath Yatra in Kenya
Puri, July 12
Sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik has expressed concern over ISKCON's decision to hold Rath Yatra celebrations in Kenya before the annual Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri, saying the practice hurts the religious sentiments of devotees.
Reacting to ISKCON organising a Rath Yatra in Kenya before the one in Puri, Pattnaik described the development as "sad" and said it had dealt a "huge blow" to the sentiments of Jagannath devotees.
While speaking to ANI, Pattnaik said, "It is sad that many countries already hold Rath Yatras before the Puri Rath Yatra. This is a huge blow, hurting our religious sentiments. Therefore, the Sri Mandir administration called ISKCON representatives for a discussion."
"ISKCON was informed of all the facts, but the message from ISKCON was that there would be no further discussion on this issue. The discussion should have been about finding a solution..."
At the same time, he welcomed the large number of pilgrims expected to visit Odisha for this year's grand festival and praised the preparations being made for the event.
Ahead of the annual chariot festival, Pattnaik said devotees from across the globe would be arriving in Puri to witness Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra. He also noted that the administration has made "elaborate arrangements" to ensure a smooth and memorable experience for pilgrims.
"People from all over the world are coming to Puri to witness Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra. During this Rath Yatra, people from all walks of life and communities visit the temple, as the Lord comes out of the temple once a year. The Yatra is set to begin on the 16th. The administration is making elaborate arrangements to ensure that all devotees have a positive experience," he said.
The Jagannath Rath Yatra, one of India's biggest and most revered religious festivals, is celebrated every year in Puri, Odisha. During the festival, Lord Jagannath, along with his siblings Balabhadra and Subhadra, is taken in grand chariots from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple. Lakhs of devotees gather to pull the towering chariots, believing it brings divine blessings and spiritual merit.
This year's Rath Yatra will begin on July 16, while the nine-day festival will conclude with the Bahuda Yatra on July 24. The deities are scheduled to ceremonially re-enter the Jagannath Temple on July 27.
— ANI
Reader Comments
I'm a foreigner who loves Hinduism, and I see both sides. ISKCON means well by spreading Lord Jagannath's message globally, but perhaps they could coordinate with the Puri temple authorities better. Let's focus on unity rather than division.
Jagannath ji ka rath yatra sabse pavitra hai! Kenya mein pehle rath nikalna definitely hurts bhavnaen. ISKCON ko shastriya maryada ka palan karna chahiye. Phir bhi, Vishwaguru Bharat ki parampara ka samman karein. 🌍🚩
I think there's a misunderstanding here. ISKCON's Rath Yatras worldwide are done with deep devotion, not to offend anyone. But I do understand that Puri is the original and traditional seat of Lord Jagannath. A little respect for seniority wouldn't hurt! 😊
Instead of arguing, why not see this as a sign of Lord Jagannath's global appeal? Yes, Puri holds the supreme authority, but ISKCON is spreading bhakti worldwide. Let's have a constructive dialogue rather than public criticism. The Lord's message is for everyone!
I'm a bit disappointed with ISKCON's attitude. "No further discussion"? That's not the spirit of Sanatan dharma. Dialogue and mutual respect are key. Sudarsan Pattnaik is right to raise this issue. Traditional timelines matter for maintaining the sanctity of our festivals. 🙏
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.