Amid growing controversy surrounding the newly constructed Jagannath Temple in Digha, West Bengal, Puri Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb has firmly stated that the temple cannot be referred to as ‘Jagannath Dham.’
In a press release issued on Monday, he clarified that the sacred term ‘Jagannath Dham’ exclusively belongs to Puri, the original and eternal abode of Lord Jagannath.
The controversy erupted after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the temple in Digha, naming it ‘Jagannath Dham’ and ‘Jagannath Dham Cultural Centre.’ The move faced intense opposition from Jagannath devotees, intellectuals, and politicians in Odisha, who condemned the decision as an attempt to misrepresent religious tradition.
Responding to concerns, the Puri Gajapati Maharaja sought guidance from Mukti Mandap Pandit Sabha on May 3, 2025, receiving a formal reply the following day. He reiterated that Puri’s Purushottam Kshetra is the only legitimate ‘Jagannath Dham.’ Any temple housing ‘Chaturdha’ idols outside Puri cannot be assigned the sacred titles of ‘Srikshetra,’ ‘Nilachal Dham,’ or ‘Purushottam Kshetra.’ Moreover, according to religious scriptures, idols must be carved from sacred wood; construction in metal or stone deviates from traditional practice.
The dispute also centres around the offering of ‘Mahaprasad.’ The Mukti Mandap Pandit Sabha emphasised that offerings in temples outside Puri cannot be designated as ‘Mahaprasad,’ a sacred food only prepared within the Puri Jagannath Temple.
Following the backlash, the West Bengal government removed the ‘Jagannath Dham’ plaque from a section of the temple, but the term remains on the official website, fueling continued protests. Despite the removal, Jagannath devotees assert that no structure outside Puri can rightfully bear the revered ‘Jagannath Dham’ title.
The debate highlights the importance of preserving religious traditions while ensuring historical accuracy in temple nomenclature. As the controversy unfolds, the Odisha community remains vigilant in safeguarding the sanctity of Puri’s Jagannath heritage.
