Plan to hold ‘untimely’ Rath in London draws Puri servitors’ ire | Bhubaneswar News
Puri: Servitors of Puri Jagannath Temple have expressed concern following reports that various groups abroad are allegedly planning to hold Rath Yatras on dates other than the one decided by the shrine management in Puri. This year’s Rath Yatra is scheduled on June 27, while a website cited an attempt by a group in UK to hold the chariot festival in London on July 20.“Lord Jagannath’s festivals have become a farce as despite repeated complaints, others are not paying respect to it. There should be strict action or a legal framework to stop such unfortunate incidents,” said Hajuri Krushnachandra Khuntia, a senior servitor of Puri shrine.A similar controversy had erupted last year when a Rath Yatra was planned at Houston in Nov, and the idea was dropped following stiff opposition from Puri shrine servitors and the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA).Senior servitor Binayak DasMohapatra urged politicians to intervene and stop this mischief, “which amounts to insulting Lord Jagannath’s sacred traditions”.Internationally acclaimed sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik also voiced his concern. In a post on X, he wrote, “My humble request to the organiser, please do not change the tradition of celebrating #RathYatra, the most important religious event associated with Maha Prabhu Jagannath. Celebrating the pious Rath Yatra on a single day across the world will increase its global significance.” He also requested the SJTA and its chief administrator to intervene in the matter.
