Kolkata, June 10: Radharaman Das, spokesperson for ISKCON, shared significant insights about Lord Jagannath, the Digha Jagannath Temple, the Rath Yatra, and the role of former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. He emphasized that all devotees of Lord Jagannath contribute commendably to the Sanatan Dharma.
Radharaman Das noted that Mamata Banerjee has constructed a magnificent temple for Lord Jagannath in Digha, which he considers a major achievement. He mentioned that during a visit to Kolkata, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also praised the construction of this grand temple.
He highlighted the sacred Snana Purnima and Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, stating that this year, Snana Purnima falls on June 29. According to religious beliefs, on Snana Purnima, special bathing rituals are performed for Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra. Following this, it is believed that the deities become unwell due to excessive bathing and do not grant darshan to devotees for the next 14 days.
Radharaman Das explained that a day before the Rath Yatra, the deities grant darshan again and then embark on a procession on the chariot with their brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra, blessing all devotees along the way. He mentioned that it is believed that viewing Lord Jagannath on the chariot brings spiritual benefits to a person’s fourteen generations.
Discussing the global recognition of the Rath Yatra, Radharaman Das credited ISKCON founder A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada for spreading this tradition worldwide. He established the deities of Lord Baladeva, Subhadra, and Jagannath during his travels abroad, leading to the initiation of Rath Yatra celebrations in various countries. After Puri, Kolkata’s Rath Yatra is considered one of the largest.
Radharaman Das also addressed the controversy regarding the name of the Digha Jagannath Temple. He explained that during the temple’s inauguration, it was named ‘Jagannath Dham Digha,’ but people from Odisha objected, insisting that the term ‘Dham’ should only be used for Puri due to its unique religious significance.
He noted that there had been long-standing resentment among the people of Odisha regarding this issue. However, a resolution has been reached, and CM Suvendu Adhikari announced that the term ‘Dham’ would be removed from the temple’s name, replacing it with ‘Temple.’ Radharaman Das welcomed this decision, stating it would surely please the devotees from Odisha, and he thanked Suvendu Adhikari for the swift action taken in this matter.
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