Bhubaneswar, June 9 -- The debate over ISKCON's conduct of Rath Yatras outside the traditional Jagannath calendar has resurfaced after the organisation held a Rath Yatra in St. Louis, Missouri, in the United States on June 7. The event has drawn criticism from a section of Jagannath devotees and expatriate Odias, who have objected to the festival being held ahead of the annual Rath Yatra in Puri.

Videos and photographs of the event have been widely shared on social media, showing devotees participating in the chariot festival.

Those opposing the event have argued that Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra is traditionally observed on Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya and is closely linked to the rituals and traditions followed at Puri. They have questioned ...