The Digha Jagannath temple row has ignited serious religious and political tensions between West Bengal and Odisha, now deepened by Odisha’s decision to probe allegations surrounding the use of Nabakalebara Daru (sacred neem wood) meant exclusively for the Puri Jagannath temple.
Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of Opposition in West Bengal, has publicly backed Odisha’s investigation, calling the alleged misuse of sacred wood a “grave insult to Jagannath culture.”
In a post on social media, Suvendu Adhikari expressed deep concern over the reported use of “Nabakalebara Daru” (sacred wood) in constructing the temple at Digha and called it a grave insult to Jagannath culture.
“I welcome the steps taken by Odisha Minister of Law, Works & Excise, government of Odisha for a thorough investigation into the controversies involving the disgraceful conduct of persons of interest associated with the Shree Jagannath Temple of Puri,” wrote Adhikari.
He further stated, “The questionable involvement of Servitors, and the unauthorized use of surplus Sacred Wood (sacred Neem wood from the Nabakalebara rituals) are directly affront to ethics and morality surrounding the Jagannath Culture and centuries long traditions.”
In his social media post, West Bengal’s Leader of Opposition alleged that West Bengal Government have stooped to a new low with their deceitful tactics, officially labelling the Digha Project as the “Jagannath Dham Cultural Centre” in documents, but promoting it as a “Jagannath Temple” to mislead devotees and exploit their faith.
Adhikari alleged that the West Bengal government, led by the TMC, misrepresented the Digha project: officially naming it the “Jagannath Dham Cultural Centre” while promoting it as a full-fledged “Jagannath Temple” to mislead the public and gain political mileage.
He warned that labeling the new structure as a “Dham” undermines the sanctity of the original Jagannath Dham in Puri, one of the Char Dhams in Hindu tradition, and violates centuries-old customs tied to Lord Jagannath’s worship.
Across the Hindu world, while many temples are dedicated to Lord Jagannath, none claim equivalence with the Puri shrine, especially not by adopting the “Dham” title.
Devotees and servitors (like the Daitapatis) from Puri have raised objections, saying the unique rituals and traditions tied to the Puri temple cannot simply be copied elsewhere.
This issue is quickly escalating from a religious-cultural sensitivity to a full-blown interstate and political controversy. Odisha sees it as a matter of protecting heritage; Bengal’s government faces accusations of religious appropriation and political opportunism.
