Introduction
Rath Yatra is one of the most cherished festivals of my life, so I never wanted to write about the controversy surrounding it. But I guess, with so many counter views and arguments, it would be unfair if, as an Odia, I did not participate in the Puri Jagannath Temple and ISKCON debate. So, I request you to read the article before supporting or opposing either point of view on your social media feed.
Intolerance
Around 2015, an old word resurfaced into the social media psyche, “Intolerant”. People suddenly seemed unhappy about almost everything. The whole mood of the nation was overwhelmingly negative. I personally thought, it was just a phase that would pass soon. And it did. After a year or so, no one was using that word again, in that perspective. But did that mean people had become more tolerant? No, on the contrary, people get used to the intolerance way of life. Eleven years later, we still find ourselves becoming intolerant over many topics. The recent one is associated with Bhagwan Jagannath’s Rath Yatra.
Gajapati Maharaj Vs. ISKCON
Gajapati Maharaj, the King of Puri is traditionally considered as the first servitor of Bhagwan Jagannath. His words about Jagannath culture and Shree Mandir are considered as the final words for the devotees. Recently, he objected to the chariot festival organized by ISKCON, on a date different from that of Puri Rath Yatra. On the other hand, ISKCON believes that it is promoting Jagannath culture globally, so they need to celebrate the chariot festival on a date that ensures maximum public participation. They don’t have any ill intention towards Bhagwan Jagannath.
Both the parties maintained their stand and dignity by approaching in a civilized manner. But here comes the intolerance part. Now, the supporters of Gajapati Maharaj, believe that ISKCON is showing disrespect towards the first servitor of Bhagwan Jagannath by not adhering to his words. So, they have started demanding a ban on the organization. In the meanwhile, some of the ISKCON supporters started calling names to Gajapati Maharaj to belittle his status. They feel the King of Puri is relevance only to the district Puri while ISKCON, an international organization should not consider his opinion. And that is how, the social media turns into an ugly battle field of intolerant supporters.
My Opinion
Personally, I have no problems with either of the point of views. But my logical brain needs answer of few questions, from each party supporter.
To those who support Gajapati Maharaj, I would like to ask; why do we object only to the date of festivals and not to the rituals. Other than ISKCON, many temples and organizations do celebrate chariot festival on the same date as that of Puri. However, they don’t follow the same rituals like that of Puri Rath Yatra. For example, many chariot festivals have only one chariot rather than the prescribed three chariots of Puri. They don’t even have the same number of wheels, as prescribed for Nandighosha, the chariot of Bhagwan Jagannath. There are many discrepancies observed in other chariot festivals in compare to Puri Rath Yatra, but we rarely objected that. So, why we suddenly feel wary about an organization that is only 60 years old?
I would also like to ask the ISKCON supporters, about their motive for celebrating the grand festival on a date different from that of Puri. Is popularity more important than the religious significance? Imagine tomorrow a new organization emerges and claims to celebrate the life of Bhagwan Krishna. They do popularize the Krishna culture but celebrate Janmastami on 1st of January or 25th of December. Would you look at that in a very tolerant way or would you consider it disrespectful towards Bhagwan Krishna? We simply can’t claim to be custodians of Sanatan Dharm by altering its traditions and rituals.
Both the parties need to sit over and discuss this with mutual understanding. We already live in a world which divides people based on their nationality, their religion, their caste and all that; we do not need any more reason to alienate us from each other. And before someone of you asks my stand on the whole issue, I will simply answer; my faith lies in Bhagwan Jagannath. I am sure, just like me, all the true believers of Bhagwan Jagannath believes that, nothing happens in this world without the permission of Bhagwan Jagannath. So, if something is happening without any obstacles, we need to believe that, perhaps it is His will. We should respect that.
Jay Jagannath.