Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday accepted Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi's appeal to drop the word 'dham' from the name of the Jagannath temple complex at Digha. The site, previously known as the Digha Jagannath Dham Cultural Centre, will now be called the Digha Jagannath Cultural Centre, Adhikari announced at the state secretariat.
Background of the Controversy
The renaming comes after the previous Bengal government inaugurated the site as 'Shri Shri Jagannath Dham Cultural Centre' on April 30, 2025. The Odisha government objected, with the Gajapati Maharaja of Puri and devotees worldwide calling for the removal of 'dham', arguing that only four sacred dhams exist, with Jagannath Dham at Puri being one of them.
Political Developments
BJP MP from Puri, Sambit Patra, who delivered Majhi's letter to Adhikari, said people in Odisha were 'pained and aggrieved' by the original naming. 'We have no objection to the promotion and expansion of Jagannath temples... However, there are only four sacred dhams and Jagannath Dham at Puri is one of them,' Patra stated.
Patra also criticized former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for ignoring earlier pleas, expressing gratitude that the present Bengal government 'respected the followers of Sanatan dharma' by renaming the temple.
Official Announcement
Adhikari confirmed that the cultural centre would now be known as 'Shri Shri Jagannath Cultural Centre'. He added that rituals would continue 'strictly in accordance with traditions of the original Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri', with ISKCON currently entrusted with daily worship.
The Chief Minister noted that the project was approved in government documents as a cultural centre and that 'later, the word 'dham' was added'. He directed Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal to issue instructions to remove the word, stating, 'Necessary government guidelines will be issued very soon and the trust managing the temple will also be informed about the decision.'
Reactions from the Temple Community
Radharamn Das, trustee and chief priest of Digha Jagannath Mandir and vice-president of ISKCON Kolkata, welcomed the decision. He said Adhikari spoke to him personally and that the temple community was pleased. Calling it a step reflecting harmony and respect between Bengal and Odisha, Das remarked: 'While Lord Jagannath is worshipped worldwide, His eternal home is in Odisha. If the new name honours Odia sentiments, it is a positive step.'
