ISKCON cancels Houston Rath Yatra amid backlash from Jagannath devotees

Bhubaneswar, Nov 5: In response to strong opposition from Lord Jagannath’s devotees and a warning from Puri Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, ISKCON has announced the cancellation of its planned off-season Rath Yatra in Houston, USA.

On Tuesday evening, ISKCON Bhubaneswar Vice-President Tukaram Das issued a statement confirming that the Rath Yatra, originally scheduled for November 9, will no longer take place, out of respect for the sentiments of Odisha’s Jagannath devotees.

Instead, ISKCON will organize a Gour Nitai Sankirtan Yatra on the same day. According to the release, National Communications Director Yudhistir Govinda Prabhu confirmed the Rath Yatra’s cancellation after consulting with Anuttama Prabhu, a member of ISKCON’s Governing Body Commission and Communications Minister.

Earlier, Gajapati Maharaja had announced that legal action would be taken against ISKCON if it proceeded with an untimely Rath Yatra for Lord Jagannath.