Digha Jagannath Temple to welcome even non-Hindus, foreigners: ISKCON vice-president

This inclusive approach stands in contrast to the rules at the Jagannath Temple in Puri, where non-Hindus and foreigners are not allowed inside the sanctum.

“Digha’s Jagannath Dham will open doors for devotees from all walks of life, reflecting the global vision of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu,” he said.

“According to Gaudiya Vaishnavism, there is no such restriction; anyone can enter the temple,” he explained. “However, the Shankaracharya school of thought in Jagannath Puri restricts entry of non-Hindus and foreigners.”

When asked whether a Muslim could enter the Digha shrine, Das responded affirmatively: “Yes, of course. If someone is coming, we consider they must have some love and respect for the deity.”

Das stressed this was the fundamental difference between the two temples. “Anyone who has love for Lord Jagannath can come, irrespective of their caste or religion, and that is the one point of difference between Jagannath Dham of Jagannath Puri.”

He explained that within Sanatan Dharma, there are various sampradayas (spiritual lineages), and ISKCON belongs to the Gaudiya Madhva Sampradaya, tracing its spiritual lineage to Madhvacharya and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. “ISKCON has temples in Western countries. They are more Hindu than most Hindus—many don’t even eat onion, garlic, tea or coffee. They have been living a spiritual life for 40 years following Sanatan Dharma. Yet, just because they are foreigners—American, Russian, Chinese, or Japanese—they are not allowed in Jagannath Puri.”

He acknowledged that even revered figures in the Gaudiya tradition respected the traditional rules of Puri. “Our acharyas 500 years ago – Roop Goswami, Sanatan Goswami, and Haridas Thakur – respected those traditions. Haridas Thakur was born in a Muslim family but was a great devotee. Roop and Sanatan Goswami were born Brahmins but served a Muslim king, and because of that, Hindus did not consider them Hindus anymore. Still, they never forced their way into the temple; they respected the sentiment.”

Das added, “We very much respect Puri Jagannath and have no problem with them not allowing non-Hindus. But at the same time, in Gaudiya Madhva Sampradaya, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu told us that the Hare Krishna and Hare Rama chants must spread all over the world.”

On the question of Muslim visitors, Das reiterated: “Yes, of course. If someone is coming, we believe they must have some love and respect for Lord Jagannath—that’s why they are coming. Haridas Thakur was born in a Muslim family but deeply loved Sanatan Dharma. We’re not pulling anyone in. Anyone who walks in, anyone who has love for Lord Jagannath, can come, irrespective of their caste or religion… and that is the one point of difference between Jagannath Dham of Jagannath Puri.”

He said, “It gives a feeling of inclusivity.”

Das also addressed the historical reasons for Puri’s restrictions, noting that the temple “faced numerous attacks and destructions” over centuries, which led to its more guarded entry rules. In contrast, ISKCON temples, he said, operate on the principle that “whoever is entering our temple, we believe he/she has some love for the deity. That’s why they are coming in front of them.”

Meanwhile, as the Digha temple prepares to open its doors to the public, its inauguration has drawn a response from religious bodies in Puri. Two major associations of servitors at the 12th-century Puri shrine have asked their members not to participate in the rituals inaugurating the Digha temple.

However, Rajesh Dwaitapati, a servitor from Puri’s Jagannath Temple, has been overseeing the Pran Pratishtha (deity consecration rituals) in Digha. Dismissing concerns about dissent, Das clarified: “A section of people might have said [not to participate], but Rajesh Dwaitapati is here in Digha for a week.”

In 2017, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reportedly faced opposition from a section of priests at the Puri temple over past remarks about beef consumption.