Deeply Hurtful”: Pattnaik on Kenya Rath Yatra Before Puri

Bhubaneswar: Eminent sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik has strongly criticised ISKCON’s decision to organise Rath Yatra celebrations in Kenya ahead of the traditional festival in Puri.

Calling the move “deeply hurtful to devotees,” Pattnaik said such practices undermine the sanctity of Lord Jagannath’s rituals and erode global unity among followers.

He noted that ISKCON has previously conducted early Rath Yatras in countries like the US and Germany, sparking repeated backlash from devotees and cultural groups.

The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) had invited ISKCON representatives for dialogue, but the organisation reportedly refused further discussions.

Pattnaik, globally recognised for his sand art on Lord Jagannath and Odisha’s heritage, urged ISKCON to align overseas celebrations with the spiritual calendar observed in Puri.

Devotees across the world have echoed this demand, stressing that uniform observance is essential to preserve faith and cultural integrity.