Dear Devotees,

Ratha Yatra of Lord Jagannatha is one of the most sacred Hindu festivals in all of Sanatana Dharma — rooted in Divine Command. According to the Skanda Purana (Purushottama-kshetra Mahatmyam), Brahma Purana, and Padma Purana, Lord Jagannatha Himself proclaimed that this Snana yatra festival (which is also the birthday of Lord Jagannatha) shall be celebrated on Jyestha Purnima and Ratha yatra festival shall be celebrated for a nine-day period commencing on Ashadha Shukla-paksha Dvitiya Tithi.

For example, the correct dates in english calendar for the 2026 are:

• Snana Yatra (Bath Festival): June 29, 2026
• Ratha Yatra (Chariot Festival): 16 July 2026
• Bahuda Yatra (Return Journey): 24 July 2026

Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, the revered King of Puri, Aadya Sevak (First Servant) of Lord Jagannatha, and Chairman of the Shree Jagannatha Temple Managing Committee has been appealing to ISKCONites world-wide and their leaderships including their governing bodies to honor these scriptural dates. In his most recent letter dated 29th October 2024, Gajapati Maharaja has again urged all ISKCON Centers worldwide to celebrate Ratha Yatra and Snana Yatra only on the dates sanctioned by scripture that has been Jagannatha tradition from the time-immemorial.

Shree Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati Maharaj has also strongly denounced untimely festivals. The Government of Odisha and the Shree Jagannatha Temple Administration, Puri have formally objected through an Official Press Release (11 April 2026), documenting over 80 ISKCON centers across the USA, Canada, UK, and Europe conducting Snana yatra and Ratha Yatra on wrong dates in 2026 alone.

While ISKCON India formally passed a Resolution in July 2021 to respect the correct tithis, ISKCON Centers outside India continue to hold Ratha Yatras throughout the year, contrary to the Divine Command. Importantly, since Ratha Yatra is a nine-day festival, one or two weekends always fall within the correct window, making the argument of weekday inconvenience entirely without merit.

We, the undersigned, humbly request that all ISKCON centers worldwide adhere to the traditional scriptural dates for Snana Yatra and Ratha Yatra celebrations— honoring both Divine Command and the sentiments of millions of devotees.

For Gajapati Maharaja & Shree Mandir’s appeal, official documents, and the full list of non-compliant centers, please visit: https://jagannathasanskritiunited.com/project-surya

Please Note - You do not need to pay to sign this petition.