Devotees Protest Untimely ISKCON Rath Yatra in Houston

Bhubaneswar, April 26: A controversy has erupted among Odia devotees after the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) organised an untimely Rath Yatra in Houston earlier this month.

The depiction of Lord Jagannath with palms and fingers during the procession has drawn sharp criticism, with many devotees alleging that the portrayal violates scriptural traditions and hurts religious sentiments.

Devotees expressed concern that ISKCON’s repeated organisation of Rath Yatras abroad, outside the prescribed schedule, distorts the sanctity of the festival and misrepresents the cultural essence of Jagannath tradition.

While ISKCON has not issued an official response, Puri Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb had earlier warned of legal action if such practices continued.

He confirmed writing to the Prime Minister about the issue, urging intervention to safeguard Jagannath culture.

Reports suggest ISKCON has planned Rath Yatras at 80 locations and Snana Yatras at 10 sites worldwide in 2026, raising further concerns among devotees about the preservation of tradition.