BJP MP Dr. Sambit Patra, representing Puri, has strongly objected to the naming of a temple in Digha, West Bengal as ‘Jagannath Dham’, emphasizing that Puri in Odisha remains the one and only authentic Jagannath Dham in the world.
Speaking to reporters, Patra said, “There is only one Jagannath Dham in the world. You cannot label any other place as such because it simply doesn’t exist elsewhere. Among the four Dhams in India, Jagannath Dham in Puri is not only one of them, but also carries deep historical and spiritual significance. There should be no confusion on that matter.”
The controversy has erupted after a newly inaugurated Jagannath temple in Digha was promoted as “Jagannath Dham,” a title sacredly associated with the millennium-old shrine in Puri, revered as one of the Char Dhams in Hindu tradition.
Patra, while urging caution and investigation, added, “As the elected representative from Puri and as a son of Odisha, I believe we should await the findings of the temple administration’s investigation. Let’s not rush to conclusions but allow due process to take its course.”
The Digha temple has sparked intense public reaction across Odisha, where sentiments around the Jagannath cult are not just religious but deeply cultural and identity-based. Patra’s comments align with a broader demand from various Odia groups and intellectuals to preserve the unique sanctity of Puri’s Jagannath Dham, which hosts the globally recognized Rath Yatra and is one of the most significant pilgrimage sites in India.
As the matter gains traction, all eyes are now on the temple authorities in Digha and any potential response from the Odisha government or Ministry of Culture on safeguarding regional heritage.
