West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced that the word “Dham” will be removed from the name of the Digha Jagannath Dham temple.
The temple will now be renamed as Digha Jagannath Cultural Centre.
Adhikari made the declaration after receiving a letter from Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who urged that the sanctity of Puri Jagannath Dham must be preserved. Majhi had requested that the temple be renamed “Shri Jagannath Temple, Digha” to avoid hurting devotees’ sentiments.
Adhikari said the previous government had added the word “Dham,” which he described as against Sanatan Dharma traditions. He assured that the word would be removed immediately and confirmed that the proposal would be passed in the cabinet. He also mentioned that he had informed Puri MP Sambit Patra about the decision.
The Digha Jagannath Dham naming controversy had sparked widespread opposition in Odisha, with devotees, scholars, and socio-cultural organisations arguing that the use of “Dham” outside Puri undermined its spiritual exclusivity. Adhikari’s announcement is expected to ease tensions and strengthen cultural ties between Odisha and West Bengal.
Puri MP Sambit Patra Thanks Suvendu Adhikari for Positive Step on Digha Jagannath Temple Naming
Puri MP Sambit Patra expressed gratitude to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari for assuring positive action on the naming of the Digha Jagannath Dham temple.
Patra posted on X that Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s letter requesting the removal of the word “Dham” from the temple’s name has been accepted. He said Adhikari assured steps toward renaming the temple, respecting the sentiments of millions of Jagannath devotees and Sanatan Dharma followers.
Patra described the move as a significant step in preserving the sanctity of Jagannath Dham, Puri, one of India’s four sacred Dhams. He emphasised that the initiative honours the emotions of devotees and maintains the spiritual exclusivity of Puri.
दीघा, पश्चिम बंगाल स्थित महाप्रभु श्री जगन्नाथ जी के मंदिर के नाम “जगन्नाथ धाम, दीघा” के संबंध में ओडिशा के माननीय मुख्यमंत्री श्री @MohanMOdisha जी द्वारा प्रेषित पत्र को स्वीकार करने तथा मंदिर के नाम में परिवर्तन की दिशा में सकारात्मक पहल हेतु आश्वस्त करने के लिए पश्चिम बंगाल… pic.twitter.com/8UwnLEETwj
— Sambit Patra (@sambitswaraj) June 9, 2026
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Odisha CM Writes to West Bengal CM to Drop “Dham” from Digha Jagannath Temple Name
