This is an archive article published on May 7, 2025
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Reconsider referring to Digha temple as Jagannath Dham, Odisha CM tells Mamata: ‘Dilutes Puri’s distinct heritage’
In a letter to Banerjee, Majhi said using the term for any other temple or location other than the 12th-century Jagannath Temple in Puri hurts the sentiments of millions of devotees.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has asked his West Bengal counterpart, Mamata Banerjee, to reconsider using the term “Jagannath Dham” for the newly built Jagannath temple at Digha in West Bengal.
In a letter to Banerjee, Majhi said using the term for any other temple or location other than the 12th-century Jagannath Temple in Puri hurts the sentiments of millions of devotees.
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“As you are well aware, Shree Jagannath Dham in Puri, Odisha, is one of the Char Dhams of Hinduism and holds unparalleled religious, spiritual, and cultural significance, not just for the people of Odisha, but for millions of devotees across India and the world. The name ‘Jagannath Dham’ holds a unique and sacrosanct identity linked to Puri,” Majhi wrote.
“The use of the term ‘Jagannath Dham’ in official and promotional contexts for the Digha temple is likely to cause confusion among devotees, dilute the historical identity of Puri as the original and revered abode of the Lord, and hurt the religious sentiments of the people of Odisha,” the Chief Minister said.
Majhi wrote that he hoped the West Bengal government would uphold the spirit of inter-state respect and cultural sensitivity in this matter and take necessary steps to address the concerns.
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The new shrine at the seaside town of Digha has triggered controversy, with servitors of the Puri temple among those who strongly objected to it being called Jagannath Dham. The temple was inaugurated on April 30.
On Monday, West Bengal Chief Minister Banerjee, reacting to the controversy, said that she respected both the temples, but reiterated her reference to the Digha shrine as Jagannath Dham. She also asked why there was so much anger on this issue.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi 
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