Jagannath Sena warns ISKON to desist from holding untimely rathyat

Puri, Nov 12 (UNI) The Jagannath Sena has taken strong exception to the proposed Rath Yatra by the ISKON devotees being organised at Delhi on November 23 next contravening the religious practices of the Lord.

In a petition to Jagannath Temple Management Committee Chairman Puri Gajapati Dibyasingh Dev, Jagannath Sena Chief Priyadarshan Pattnaik had decried the untimely observance of Rath Yatra of the lords.

The Jagannath Sena warned the ISKON to desist from such practice or else the Sena would be compelled to prevent entry of ISKON devotees to this city, the abode of Lord Jaannath.

Mr Pattnaik also urged tthe Puri Gajapati to take steps to stop this untimely Rath Yatra at Delhi and initiate legal action against them.

As per the temple schedule the annual Rath Yatra of lord Jagannath use to be held on ''Ashadha sukla dwitiya''(the second day of Ashadha month on the bright moon fort night).

Any departure from it, Mr Pattnaik said, would be considered as a serious violation the scriptures, which would bring unfortunate natural calamities to the country.

Senior temple servitor and member of the temple body Rabindranath Paratihari said the matter was taken up by the temple administration last year and Gajapati Dibya Singh Dev had informed that the ISKON had agreed to stop the untimely rath yatra.

He questioned under what circumstances the ISKON was proceeding to organise Rath Yatra and urged the Gajapati to contact ISKON authorities and take steps to prevent such yatra.

Earlier on Tuesday last, the sena activists burnt the effigy of founder of ISKON in front of the Sri Jagannath temple protesting the decision of the ISKON to hold the untimely Rath Yatra.

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