West Bengal Agrees to Drop ‘Dham’ from Digha Jagannath Temple Following Odisha’s Objection
In a significant diplomatic coordination between neighboring states, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced that the state government will officially remove the word “Dham” from the newly constructed Lord Jagannath Temple complex in the coastal town of Digha.
The breakthrough came at the state secretariat, Nabanna, after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Puri, Dr. Sambit Patra, arrived as an emissary to hand-deliver a formal request letter from Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. The structural name change addresses a deeply sensitive religious row that has persisted since the temple’s inception.
The Root of the Naming Controversy
The ₹250-crore replica of the iconic 12th-century Puri shrine was constructed over a 20-acre plot and formally inaugurated by the previous Trinamool Congress (TMC) administration on April 30, 2025.
- The Sacred Encroachment: The previous government designated the site as “Shri Shri Jagannath Dham Cultural Centre.” This immediately drew fierce criticism from the Gajapati Maharaja of Puri, servitors, and millions of devotees of Sanatan Dharma worldwide.
- The Char Dham Prerogative: Objectors pointed out that according to ancient scriptural traditions established by Adi Shankaracharya, there are only four sacred Dhams (Char Dham) in Hinduism, of which the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri is the exclusive eastern abode. Adding a new “Dham” artificially was widely viewed as an insult to spiritual geography and Odia cultural sentiments.
Key Takeaways from the Joint Announcement
Following high-level discussions, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and MP Sambit Patra held a joint press conference to detail the administrative course correction:
- Restoring Scriptural Accuracy: Chief Minister Adhikari stated that according to the original state cabinet resolutions and tender documents, the project was technically approved as a “cultural centre” and the word “Dham” had been tacked on later as an political afterthought. “There is only Chaar Dham in Hindu Sanatana… Nobody should play with the core Sanatana ideology,” Adhikari noted, adding that his government has directed Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Agarwal to issue immediate guidelines for the deletion.
- New Official Nomenclature: Moving forward, the entire complex will be formally recognized as the “Shri Shri Jagannath Cultural Centre” or “Digha Jagannath Mandir.”
- Preserving Sacred Rituals: While the controversial branding is being dismantled, the regular administrative functioning of the temple will not change. Daily worship will continue to be managed under the spiritual guidance of ISKCON, adhering strictly to the ancient, traditional rules practiced at the root temple in Puri.
“We have absolutely no objection to the promotion, expansion, or global celebration of Jagannath temples. However, the term ‘Jagannath Dham’ is intrinsically tied to the unique abode of Mahaprabhu at Puri. This decision brings immense relief and joy to 4.5 crore Odias and followers of Sanatan Dharma across India.”
— Sambit Patra, Puri Lok Sabha MP
