Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb has spoken out on the controversy surrounding ISKCON’s untimely Ratha Jatra. Expressing displeasure, the Gajapati Maharaja said ISKCON members have not studied the Skanda Purana and do not truly understand Lord Jagannath. ISKCON has installed Lord Krishna as the main deity in every one of its temples and placed Lord Jagannath on the side as a movable idol. This is the exact opposite of what is stated in the Skanda Purana. The Chaturdha Murti is the Supreme God, Parmeshwar while Lord Krishna is stated as movable idol. The Gajapati said that if the Central Government wishes, ISKCON can be shut down. He noted that ISKCON’s headquarters is in Mayapur, West Bengal, and cooperation from the state government is necessary. The Centre can intervene through the Ministry of External Affairs. Through MEA, directions can be issued to close ISKCON, he added. Gajapati Maharaja further alleged that donations are behind ISKCON’s off-season Ratha Jatras. The kind of publicity they are getting, Lord Jagannath is the number one medium for them. They are earning so much profit from it that they are not willing to stop it,” he said. The statement comes amid growing debate over ISKCON’s conduct and its Ratha Jatra celebrations outside the traditional schedule. Post navigation Odisha Govt begins Recruitment Process for OERC Chairperson Post Jagannath Temple Land In Satyabadi: ଶ୍ରୀମନ୍ଦିର ପ୍ରଶାସନକୁ ହସ୍ତାନ୍ତର ହେଲା ଶ୍ରୀଜଗନ୍ନାଥ ମହାପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ୬୯୩ ଏକର ଭୂ-ସମ୍ପତ୍ତି
