West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Monday arrived in Digha to oversee the preparations for the grand inauguration of the newly-built Jagannath Temple, scheduled for Akshaya Tritiya on Wednesday. Accompanied by state ministers Aroop Biswas and Chandrima Bhattacharya, and State Police DG Rajiv Kumar, Banerjee visited the temple premises, and engaged with priests while assessing the ongoing rituals. Before departing from the Dumurjala helipad in Howrah, Banerjee said, "I am going to Jagannath Dham. Everyone, be well. Maintain unity, harmony and peace among yourselves." Upon reaching Digha, she lauded the temple's architecture and its blend of "spirituality and harmony," expressing optimism that it would significantly boost tourism in the region. "There is a sea in Digha. People come to visit the sea. If there is a pilgrimage site here, it will attract more people," she remarked. She further highlighted the temple's representation of "the thousands of years-old architecture of Bengal.” The inauguration, preceded by several days of rituals, will feature a special homa yajna on Tuesday. According to temple sources, the peace ceremony, led by Rajesh Dayitapati of the Puri temple and ISKCON Vice-President Radharman Das, has already commenced. Approximately 60 devotees from various ISKCON branches are participating. The rituals, ongoing since last Thursday, include the lighting of the Mahakund between four tanks, mantra chanting, and consecration of the deities. The milk baths for Jagannath, Balaram, Subhadra, and Sudarshan, as well as other deities like Lakshmi, Vimala, and Satyabhama, have been completed. "The formal inauguration of the temple will be held on Tuesday on the auspicious occasion of the Mahayagna and Akshaya Tritiya. I am here in Digha today to observe the inauguration of the Jagannath Temple and the preparations for the Mahayagna," Banerjee said. Anticipating a large influx of devotees, Banerjee directed administrative officials to ensure smooth arrangements. "Many devotees of Lord Jagannath from India and the world will be arriving in Bengal. I have advised them to ensure that there is no inconvenience to their travel, accommodation and food. I have instructed the administrative officials to keep the transport system operational and free from traffic," she said. Security has been significantly heightened, with 800 police guards deployed within the temple premises and additional forces brought in from neighboring districts. Traffic on National Highway 116B from Old Digha to Jagannath Dham in New Digha is being strictly regulated from Monday to Wednesday. ISKCON Vice-President Radharman Das, speaking to The Indian Express, said, "We started Yagna on 25th. A Mahayagna will be held tomorrow. Purnahuti will be conducted by the CM in the evening." Sharing the plans for the day of the inauguration, Das said, "On 30th April, a yagna will be followed by Abhishek. Then dressing of the Lord, and first bhog will be offered thereafter. The Chief Minister will perform the maha-aarti following which the temple will be open to the public for Maha-aarti." Banerjee expressed her vision for the temple's impact, stating, "Like the Jagannath Temple in Puri, this one on the seashore of Digha, will emerge as a symbol of Bengal's new culture, tradition, development of spiritual consciousness and harmony.”
