The newly constructed Jagannath temple in Digha, West Bengal, has ignited significant religious and cultural controversy following its designation as ‘Jagannath Dham,’ a title traditionally reserved for the sacred city of Puri in Odisha. A day after Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb of Puri, the Adya Sevak (chief servitor) of Mahaprabhu Jagannath, provided scriptural evidence asserting that only Puri can be called Jagannath Dham and Purushottama Kshetra, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi wrote to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Similarly, internationally acclaimed sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik has also reached out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to intervene in the matter.
In his letter sent on Tuesday, Chief Minister Majhi expressed “deep concern” over the naming of the Digha temple, asserting that ‘Jagannath Dham’ is a sacred and unique designation exclusively associated with the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, one of the four Char Dhams of Hinduism.
“As you are well aware, Shree Jagannath Dham in Puri, Odisha, is one of the Char Dhams of Hinduism and holds unparalleled religious, spiritual, and cultural significance, not just for the people of Odisha, but for millions of devotees across India and the world. The name ‘Jagannath Dham’ holds a unique and sacrosanct identity linked to Puri, and its usage in reference to any other temple or location hurts the sentiments and emotions of millions of pilgrims, devotees, and the general public, besides diluting the distinct heritage of Shree Jagannath Dham, Puri,” the letter read.
ଆମ ଶ୍ରୀ ଜଗନ୍ନାଥ ଧାମ ହିନ୍ଦୁ ଧର୍ମର ଚାରି ଧାମ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ଅନ୍ୟତମ ଏବଂ ଏହାର ଏକ ଅନନ୍ୟ ଧାର୍ମିକ, ଆଧ୍ୟାତ୍ମିକ ଓ ସାଂସ୍କୃତିକ ମହତ୍ତ୍ୱ ରହିଛି। "ଜଗନ୍ନାଥ ଧାମ" ନାମଟି ପୁରୀ ସହିତ ଅଭିନ୍ନ ଭାବେ ଜଡିତ ହୋଇଥିବାରୁ, ପଶ୍ଚିମବଙ୍ଗର ଦୀଘାରେ ନବନିର୍ମିତ ଜଗନ୍ନାଥ ମନ୍ଦିରରେ ଏହି ନାମ ବ୍ୟବହାର କରିବା ଲକ୍ଷାଧିକ ଜଗନ୍ନାଥ ଭକ୍ତ, ଓଡ଼ିଆ… pic.twitter.com/t53Fn82BMc
— Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) May 6, 2025
“While we acknowledge and appreciate the devotion towards Lord Jagannath across regions, the use of the term ‘Jagannath Dham’ in official and promotional contexts for the Digha temple is likely to cause confusion among devotees, dilute the historical identity of Puri as the original and revered abode of the Lord, and hurt the religious sentiments of the people of Odisha,” the letter read further.
“In view of this, I request the Government of West Bengal to reconsider the usage of the name ‘Jagannath Dham’ in relation to the Jagannath temple recently established at Digha and refrain from using the term ‘Jagannath Dham’ in its official naming, communication, and promotional materials. I sincerely hope that the Government of West Bengal will uphold the spirit of inter-state respect and cultural sensitivity in this matter and take necessary steps to address our concerns,” the letter stated.
Sudarsan Pattnaik Urges PM Modi’s Intervention Over ‘Digha Jagannath Dham’ Naming Controversy
Internationally acclaimed sand artist and Padma Shri awardee Sudarsan Pattnaik has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing serious concern over the naming of the newly constructed Jagannath temple in Digha, West Bengal, as ‘Jagannath Dham’.
In his letter, Pattnaik appreciated the initiative to build a temple dedicated to Bhagwan Jagannath but strongly opposed the use of the term ‘Jagannath Dham’ for any location other than Puri, Odisha — the traditional and scripturally recognised abode of the deity.
“While the construction of a new temple dedicated to Mahaprabhu Shree Jagannath is truly commendable, referring to it as ‘Jagannath Dham’ has deeply hurt the religious sentiments of millions of His devotees around the world,” Pattnaik wrote. He emphasised that according to sacred Hindu scriptures, there exists only one true Jagannath Dham, which is located in Puri, and using the revered title elsewhere undermines centuries-old spiritual traditions and could cause religious confusion.
He further invoked the Prime Minister’s well-known devotion to Bhagwan Jagannath, stating: “With deep respect and reverence, your unwavering devotion to Mahaprabhu Jagannath and your sincere efforts in preserving the rich Jagannath culture are widely acknowledged. I humbly request your kind attention to this matter and urge you to take appropriate action.”
Jagannath temples are found all over the world, but the only true Jagannath Dham is in Puri: Baijayant Panda
As the controversy surrounding the naming of a newly constructed Jagannath temple in Digha, West Bengal, as ‘Jagannath Dham’ intensifies, BJP National Vice-President and Kendrapara MP Baijayant Jay Panda has strongly criticised the West Bengal government’s decision. He asserted that the title ‘Jagannath Dham’ is exclusively reserved for the sacred shrine in Puri, Odisha, comparing its unique spiritual significance to that of global religious landmarks such as the Vatican and Mecca.
Taking to the social media platform X on Tuesday, Panda stated, “There can only be one Jagannath Dham, the original one in Puri, Odisha. Just like there can only be one Vatican and one Kaaba.” He emphasised that while Jagannath temples exist worldwide, none of them are entitled to the designation ‘Dham’, which carries sacred and scriptural importance within Hinduism.
There can only be one Jagannath Dham, the original one in Puri, Odisha. Just like there can only be one Vatican & one Kaaba. Sure, you can have replicas, & indeed there are Jagannath temples all over the world, but none call themselves Dham, which is a sacred designation, and…
— Baijayant Jay Panda (@PandaJay) May 6, 2025
“There are only four such holy sites in Bharat the Char Dhams and Puri is one of them,” he added. “Of course, there can be replicas, and indeed there are Jagannath temples around the globe, but none call themselves ‘Dham’, which is a sacred designation.”
Without naming West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, he referred to her as the “Chief Appeaser of West Bengal” and urged citizens from all ideological backgrounds, including secular-minded individuals, to oppose what he described as a mockery of religious sentiment.
“Indians of all persuasions, including and especially secular ones, must shame her into backing down,” he wrote.
It is important to note that Gajapati Maharaja of Puri, Dibyasingha Deb, has firmly stated that the temple constructed inDigha cannot be referred to as ‘Jagannath Dham.’
In an official statement released on Monday, Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, the King of Puri and Adya Sevak (first servitor) of Bhagwan Jagannath, asserted that only Shree Purushottama Kshetra, commonly known as Shreekhetra or Puri, has the spiritual and scriptural legitimacy to be referred to as ‘Jagannath Dham.’
“The sanctity and identity of Jagannath Dham are inextricably linked to Puri. According to ancient scriptures and religious practices upheld by Mukti Mandap scholars at Srimandir, no other place can assume this sacred title,” he stated.
Referring to the authority of Mukti Mandap, a traditional body of scholars at Puri Srimandir, the world-renowned 12th-century Vaishnavite shrine in Odisha, Gajapati Maharaja affirmed that, according to scriptures, the three deities must be crafted exclusively from sacred neem wood (Daru). The construction of vigrahas using any metal or stone is not sanctioned by tradition, and worshipping such vigrahas is deemed inappropriate.
Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb also noted that any offerings made to Bhagwan Jagannath and His divine siblings in temples outside of Srimandir should not be referred to as ‘Mahaprasad,’ as this does not align with scriptural injunctions.
