The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, stood firm on celebrating Rath Yatra on flexible dates worldwide. This comes despite the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) in Odisha demanding the festival be held on one fixed date globally. In September, SJTA released a 95-page document criticizing ISKCON's practice, saying sacred tithis (dates) cannot be changed. ISKCON’s India Scholars Board (IISB) responded with a detailed rebuttal citing multiple scriptures like the Skanda Puraṇa and Prasna Saṁhita. IISB says these texts allow alternative dates for Rath Yatra. The group also pointed out that the Puri temple's self-manifested deities are different from ISKCON's installed deities, which can follow different rituals. "IISB has since provided a comprehensive rebuttal with extensive scriptural citations, to which the SJTA has not yet issued a counter-response," ISKCON stated. Earlier, on March 20, 2025, scholars from both sides met in Bhubaneswar. ISKCON representatives presented scriptural evidence before SJTA scholars and Gajapati King Dibyasingh Deb. ISKCON says they have offered written and verbal replies multiple times but feel SJTA claims of no response are incorrect. IISB stressed the principle of “manaḥ kṛṣṇe nivesayet” (fixing the mind on Krishna), saying public participation matters more than strict date adherence. They highlighted that ISKCON strictly follows other festival dates like Janmaṣṭami and Ekadasi, and that their flexible Rath Yatra dates are a valid scriptural alternative, not a violation.