In a powerful assertion of cultural and religious sensitivity, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has warmly welcomed West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari’s decision to remove the sacred term “Dham” from the name of the Jagannath temple complex in Digha.
The site will now be known as the Sri Sri Jagannath Mandir Cultural Centre, preserving the unique spiritual identity of Puri’s revered Jagannath Dham.
Lord Jagannath is the life force of the universe and the supreme symbol of Odia cultural and spiritual identity. According to scriptures and Puranic traditions, only the holy Shree Kshetra in Puri holds the exclusive and unparalleled status of “Jagannath Dham” in Sanatan Dharma.
The previous West Bengal government’s decision to name the Digha project “Jagannath Dham” had deeply hurt the religious sentiments of Odias and millions of devotees worldwide. Many viewed it as an insensitive appropriation that overlooked the sanctity of Puri, one of Hinduism’s Char Dham.
CM Majhi promptly wrote to the new West Bengal leadership, expressing strong objections and urging a correction to protect Odisha’s cultural pride. Adhikari responded swiftly and positively, announcing the change at a public event and emphasising respect for Sanatan traditions.
“I am extremely pleased that the new Chief Minister of West Bengal, Shri Suvendu Adhikari ji, has understood the importance of this sensitive issue,” Majhi stated. He thanked Adhikari for this “historic decision,” which not only safeguards the scriptural dignity of Mahaprabhu but also strengthens the bond of brotherhood and cultural harmony between the two neighbouring states.
ମହାପ୍ରଭୁ ଶ୍ରୀ ଜଗନ୍ନାଥ ହେଉଛନ୍ତି ସମଗ୍ର ବିଶ୍ୱର ପ୍ରାଣବିନ୍ଦୁ ଏବଂ ଆମ ସାଂସ୍କୃତିକ ଆଧ୍ୟାତ୍ମିକ ଅସ୍ମିତାର ସର୍ବଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠ ପ୍ରତୀକ। ଶାସ୍ତ୍ରୀୟ ଓ ପୌରାଣିକ ମାନ୍ୟତା ଅନୁଯାୟୀ, ପବିତ୍ର ଶ୍ରୀକ୍ଷେତ୍ର ପୁରୀ ହିଁ ସନାତନ ଧର୍ମର ଅନନ୍ୟ ଏବଂ ଅଦ୍ୱିତୀୟ ‘ଜଗନ୍ନାଥ ଧାମ’।
ପଶ୍ଚିମବଙ୍ଗର ପୂର୍ବତନ ସରକାରଙ୍କ ସଂକୁଚିତ ରାଜନୈତିକ ଆଭିମୁଖ୍ୟ… pic.twitter.com/PL4rNTeiYb
— Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) June 9, 2026
The move has been widely celebrated in Odisha as a victory for devotion and mutual respect. It underscores the new West Bengal government’s commitment to correcting past oversights and fostering inter-state goodwill.
CM Majhi reaffirmed his government’s unwavering resolve: “Our government remains firmly committed to protecting Odia identity and the glory of Mahaprabhu at all times.”
