SJTA Urges Punjab Administration to Stop Early Ratha Yatra Celebration

Bhubaneswar: The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Puri, has urged the Punjab administration to prevent a Jagannath temple in Ferozepur Cantonment from conducting Ratha Yatra on May 23, stating that the sacred festival should be observed only on the traditionally prescribed date.

In a letter addressed to Ferozepur Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Magistrate Deepshikha Sharma, SJTA Chief Administrator Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhee objected to the proposed celebration and requested immediate intervention in the matter.

According to the letter, the traditional date for Ratha Yatra this year is July 16, 2026, and organising the festival on any other date could hurt the religious sentiments of millions of Lord Jagannath devotees across India and abroad.

The SJTA stated that the Shree Jagannatha Temple Managing Committee, headed by the Gajapati Maharaja of Puri, has consistently opposed premature celebrations of Ratha Yatra in the past as well.

The administration requested the district authorities to ensure that the Jagannath Mandir at Ferozepur Cantonment strictly follows the traditional calendar observed by the Moola Pitha, Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri.

“Your timely intervention in this matter will help uphold the sanctity of this revered festival and preserve the religious sentiments of countless devotees,” the letter stated.

Further developments in the matter are awaited.