The Ferozepur district administration informed the Jagannath Temple authorities in Puri that the proposed Rath Yatra
May 20, 2026: The Ferozepur district administration in Punjab on Wednesday assured the authorities of the Jagannath Temple in Puri that the proposed Rath Yatra scheduled for May 23 had been postponed. The decision came after the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) objected to holding the festival on dates not aligned with traditional religious calendars and scriptural customs. Puri temple authorities had earlier written to Ferozepur District Magistrate Deepshikha Sharma requesting intervention in the matter.
In response, the district magistrate informed SJTA chief administrator Arabinda Padhee that the organisers of the Ferozepur Jagannath Temple were called for discussions and made aware of the religious significance and correct timing of the Rath Yatra. According to the administration, the temple authorities submitted written consent agreeing to postpone the event. Padhee later confirmed that the Rath Yatra in Ferozepur would now be held on July 16 in accordance with the traditional calendar.
The SJTA had expressed concern that organising the Rath Yatra on random dates could hurt the sentiments of millions of Jagannath devotees. The temple administration maintained that the sacred festival must strictly follow scriptural traditions and established rituals linked to Lord Jagannath. Earlier this week, the Puri temple authorities had also written to officials in Uttar Pradesh’s Hapur district over reports of another proposed Rath Yatra planned for June 14.