Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan has clarified that sacred wood from the Puri Srimandir was not used in the making of idols for the Digha Jagannath Temple in West Bengal.
Speaking to the media, Harichandan stated, “The idols crafted for the Digha temple were made using regular neem wood, not any sacred or temple-sanctioned material.”
His statement comes amid rising concerns and emotional reactions over the alleged use of “daru” (sacred neem wood) reserved for rituals at the Puri Jagannath Temple. The controversy erupted after visuals of idol handovers in Digha sparked speculation.
The minister emphasized that no traditional or religious sanctity linked to Puri’s Nabakalebara ritual was violated in the process.
