Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has strongly objected to a recent advertisement by the West Bengal government promoting the inauguration of a newly-constructed Jagannath temple in the coastal town of Digha. The controversy stems from the use of the term ‘Jagannath Dham’, a title Odisha believes is exclusively reserved for the revered 12th-century Jagannath Temple in Puri.
Use of ‘Dham’ and Neelachakra Sparks Outrage
The ad, issued by the West Bengal government, referred to the Digha temple as ‘Jagannath Dham’ and featured a graphic resembling the Neelachakra with Bana — an iconic emblem associated with the Puri shrine and prominently used on its official social media channels.
“This is misleading. The term ‘Dham’ carries deep spiritual significance and should not be used lightly. Puri is one of the four cardinal Dhams in Hinduism,” said cultural researcher Anita Sabat. “Replicating the Neelachakra with Bana only adds to the confusion.”
Priestly Bodies Urge Caution and Preservation of Ritual Exclusivity
While the servitors of the Puri temple have welcomed the construction of the new temple in Digha, they have emphasized that Puri’s centuries-old rituals and cooking traditions must remain exclusive. Two key priestly groups — the Suar Mahasuar Nijog, which prepares the Mahaprasad, and the Puspalak Nijog, which decorates the deities — have instructed their members not to participate in any religious services at the Digha temple.
Political Voices and Demand for Clarity
Amid the growing debate, BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Suvendu Adhikari reiterated: “Puri Dham will remain Puri Dham.”
Adhikari also raised questions in an open letter addressed to West Bengal Chief Secretary H.K. Dwivedi, asking whether the project in Digha was truly a temple or merely a cultural centre. He pointed out that tender documents from the West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (HIDCO) describe it as a ‘Jagannath Dham Sanskriti Kendra’.
“If this is a cultural centre, why is the public being invited to a temple inauguration? The invitation card must clearly state what is being inaugurated — a temple or a centre,” he wrote. He also demanded clarity on whether the Digha temple would follow Puri’s policy of restricting entry to non-Hindus.
In a previous post in November 2023, Adhikari had argued that the construction of a temple using public funds was unconstitutional, since neither the central nor state governments are permitted to finance religious structures. Citing the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya as an example, he noted that it is being funded entirely through donations to the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
Political Undertones and Election Optics
The Digha temple, built at an estimated cost of ₹250 crore and spanning 22 acres, was officially inaugurated by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee earlier in the day. Political analysts view this move as a strategic effort by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) to bolster its appeal among Hindu voters and counter the BJP’s narrative of “minority appeasement” in the run-up to next year’s assembly elections.
