Suvendu Adhikari reiterates their plan to hand over mid-day meals to ISKCON, even as no official notification has been issued so far
The Jagannath Temple in Puri holds its Rath Yatra every year on a date prescribed by its centuries-old ritual calendar. A branch of ISKCON, however, stages international events of the procession on dates that differ from the original, citing practical reasons. The divergence has sparked a controversy, with many in Puri viewing it as a challenge to the temple’s authority and its religious identity, finds Satyasundar Barik
The first public darshan of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra after the 15-day Anavasara period drew devotees to the Krishnalanka temple; the chariot procession sets off from Sitara Grounds at 2 p.m. on July 16
The announcement to engage ISKCON was made in the State Budget presented by Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta on June 22, drawing criticism from Opposition parties who claim it is an attempt by BJP government to impose vegetarianism
The main chariot festival will be flagged off at 2 p.m., travelling along Annamayya Road up to MR Palli Circle before returning to the originating point