Bhubaneswar, May 16 -- A fresh controversy has erupted over ISKCON's decision to organise Rath Yatra in Florida, USA, ahead of the scheduled tithi of Lord Jagannath's annual Rath Yatra, drawing strong reactions from Jagannath devotees and sevayat organisations in Odisha.

According to information circulating on social media, ISKCON is set to organise the Rath Yatra in Florida on Saturday between 3 pm and 6 pm local time. The announcement has triggered criticism from sections of the Jagannath community, who allege that holding the Rath Yatra on a non-tithi day amounts to disrespecting Jagannath culture and tradition.

Members of various sevayat organisations and Jagannath devotees have strongly objected to the proposed event, stating that ...