BHUBANESWAR: The West Bengal government has decided to remove the word “Dham” from the name of the Jagannath temple complex at Digha following concerns raised by the Odisha government over its religious and cultural significance.
The decision came after Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi formally wrote to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, urging him to drop the word “Dham” from the temple’s name.
In his letter, Majhi said the term “Jagannath Dham” is intrinsically linked to the sacred abode of Mahaprabhu Shree Jagannath at Puri, one of the four revered Char Dhams of India, and carries immense spiritual, historical, and cultural significance for millions of devotees.
Majhi noted that the naming of the Digha temple complex as “Digha Jagannath Dham” had generated concern among devotees, religious scholars, and socio-cultural organisations.
He requested that the temple be renamed with a suitable alternative, such as “Shri Jagannath Temple, Digha,” to preserve the sanctity and distinct identity associated with Shree Jagannath Dham in Puri.
Meanwhile, Puri Lok Sabha MP Sambit Patra, who visited Kolkata as a special envoy of the Odisha CM, handed over the letter to Adhikari. Announcing the development, Patra said the Odisha government had never objected to the construction or promotion of Jagannath temples outside the state but had consistently opposed the use of the word “Dham” in the Digha temple’s name.
Patra said that after the communication from the Odisha government, it was decided that the word “Dham” would be removed and the shrine would henceforth be known simply as “Jagannath Temple”.
He thanked Adhikari for accepting the request and described the decision as an important step in respecting the sentiments of millions of Odia people, devotees of Lord Jagannath, and followers of Sanatan Dharma across the country.
The move is expected to ease concerns expressed by various religious and cultural groups in Odisha while reinforcing the unique status of Puri as the traditional Jagannath Dham.
