He stated talks are ongoing with ISKCON's head workplace in West Bengal to cease such practices.
“There's a specified date for that in our Sanatan Vedic tradition, and it's celebrated solely on Jyeshtha Purnima. We're seeing that the ISKCON is celebrating the birthday on totally different days overseas… That is inappropriate, towards the scriptures and custom. Shri Jagannath Mandir Puri is making efforts for this,” he informed ANI.
“Whether or not it's the Rath Yatra or Snan Yatra of Lord Jagannath, the dates are determined by the Lord himself in Skanda Purana, Brahma Purana and totally different holy scriptures. The Snan Yatra is the day of his look,” he added.
Earlier, Dibyasingh Deb stated ISKCON had agreed to comply with scripture-based traditions in India, and no violations had been seen lately.
“After criticism, the Indian ISKCON agreed to have a good time the Snan Yatra and Rath Yatra as per the scriptures, and there was no violation for 2 to 3 years. However exterior India, ISKCON is celebrating Snan Yatra and Rath Yatra all year long. That is inappropriate, towards the scriptures and custom. Shri Jagannath Mandir Puri is making efforts for this,” he stated.He added that discussions are underway with ISKCON's Mayapur head workplace to cease these practices overseas. “Discussions are ongoing with the ISKCON head workplace in Mayapur, West Bengal, as to learn how to cease this. We hope that they get info and scriptural proof from the Jagannath Puri temple they usually cease this violation exterior India, as a result of this hurts the spiritual and religious sentiments of all of the devotees of Lord Jagannath on this planet,” the erstwhile king of Puri added.Requested in regards to the long-standing restriction on non-Hindus getting into the Jagannath Puri temple, he stated any change should come from the Shankaracharya.
“At present, there is no such thing as a dialogue concerning it. One must go to the Shankaracharya concerning this. This can be a spiritual matter, and solely a Dharmaguru could make any resolution on it; solely then can there be any adjustments. I can not say something about it. The established custom is that solely Hindus have the proper to enter,” he stated.
The previous Puri King additionally spoke in regards to the rising footfall on the annual pageant and known as on the federal government to offer higher services.
“The variety of devotees is rising annually. This yr, the no. of devotees in the course of the Rath Yatra was almost 15 lakhs. The federal government ought to make the required preparations for lodging, safety and services. The no. of devotees this yr was far more than anticipated. Lakhs of individuals attended the rituals in the course of the 9 days of the Rath Yatra. I'm certain the state authorities will present good services,” he stated.
His feedback come after a stampede in the course of the Rath Yatra on June 29, which left three individuals useless and several other injured.
On the choice to drag the chariots at night time, he stated there is no such thing as a official restriction, however security should be thought-about.
“As per the federal government instructions, if the chariots attain close to the temple, then they are often pulled in the course of the night time. In response to the Skanda Puran, even within the night time, the chariots needs to be pulled utilizing hundreds of torches, if wanted and make the Rath attain the temple anyhow. There isn't any restriction on pulling the chariots at night time. However for the protection of the devotees and to keep away from mishaps, it isn't acceptable to drag the chariots at night time,” he stated.
On July 7, giant numbers of devotees gathered in Puri for the sacred ‘Adhara Panna' ritual, the place Lord Jagannath, alongside along with his siblings Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, was provided a particular drink on the chariot. The ritual is without doubt one of the most important occasions of the Rath Yatra celebrations.
