Renowned sand artist and former member of the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee, Sudarsan Pattnaik, has voiced concerns over the West Bengal government’s portrayal of the newly inaugurated Jagannath temple in Digha as ‘Jagannath Dham.’
In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pattnaik requested immediate intervention, emphasising the significance of religious traditions.
According to Hindu scriptures, the term ‘Jagannath Dham’ exclusively refers to the sacred temple in Puri, Odisha. Pattnaik expressed that branding the Digha temple with the same name could lead to religious misinterpretations and create unnecessary confusion among devotees.
He has also sought clarification from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee regarding the naming decision and its implications. The controversy has ignited discussions among priests, scholars, and devotees, many of whom demand that the name ‘Jagannath Dham’ be removed from the Digha temple.
To address growing concerns, a high-level meeting was recently held in Puri, where religious experts deliberated on possible resolutions. Pattnaik hopes that PM Modi will take appropriate action to preserve the integrity of traditions associated with Lord Jagannath’s sacred abode in Puri.
