Kolkata, June 10: The Jagannath Temple located in Digha, East Midnapore district, West Bengal, will no longer be recognized as a ‘Dham,’ a sacred pilgrimage site in Hinduism. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced on Tuesday that the temple complex will now be known as the ‘Shri Shri Jagannath Cultural Center.’
Adhikari revealed that a representative from Odisha’s Chief Minister Mohan Chandra Majhi had delivered a letter via BJP MP Sambit Patra.
The Chief Minister stated, “The Odisha Chief Minister sent Sambit Patra with a message. He mentioned that while everyone desires to worship, the term ‘Dham’ does not align with traditional culture. Accepting the proposal from the Odisha Chief Minister, we are removing the term ‘Dham’ from the Digha complex.”
He added that the cabinet has approved this change, and the HIDCO tender and government funding have also been sanctioned.
“The structure where the deity is worshipped will now be referred to as a temple. It will be known as ‘Shri Jagannath Dev Mandir,’” he clarified.
Adhikari emphasized that worship at the Digha temple will adhere to the rules outlined in Indian culture and scriptures regarding the worship of Jagannath Dev, conducted in a pious manner. Prasad will be distributed, and information about the trust committee will be made available on the temple’s website.
Radharaman Das, the trustee and chief priest of the Digha Jagannath Temple, welcomed the decision, stating, “We wholeheartedly welcome the Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari’s decision. He personally discussed this matter with me, and we are very pleased that from now on, this temple will be known as ‘Digha Jagannath Mandir.’”
A few days earlier, the Chief Minister visited the ISKCON temple in Mayapur and discussed the matter with Radharaman. The responsibility for worship at the Digha temple lies with ISKCON. Criticizing the previous Trinamool government, he remarked, “Using the term ‘Dham’ in the temple’s name is inappropriate. I have seen the documents, and it was established as a cultural center. This government will not disrespect traditional culture as the previous one did.”
Sambit Patra addressed Odisha’s objections, stating, “According to Sanatan tradition, there are four Dhams. One of them is Jagannath Dham in Odisha, where Narayan resides. Adi Shankaracharya established the four Dhams. Therefore, when the temple was built in Digha and referred to as ‘Dham,’ it hurt not only the 4.5 crore Odia people but also the devotees from Bengal.”
Patra thanked Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari for accepting the Odisha Chief Minister’s proposal and remarked, “The new government respects tradition.”
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