A major development has emerged in the controversy surrounding the naming of the Jagannath temple complex at Digha in West Bengal, with the state government deciding to remove the word “Dham” from the temple’s official name. The decision follows months of objections from the Odisha government, religious scholars, Jagannath devotees, and cultural organisations who argued that the title “Jagannath Dham” is uniquely associated with Puri and should not be used elsewhere.
The announcement was made by West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who confirmed that the term “Dham” would be dropped from the nomenclature of the temple complex. The move comes in response to a formal request from Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who had urged the West Bengal government to preserve the sanctity and distinct identity of Shree Jagannath Dham at Puri.
The decision is being viewed as a significant step toward resolving a sensitive religious and cultural dispute that has attracted national attention over the past year.
Odisha Government Welcomes the Move
The Odisha government and several religious organisations have welcomed the decision, describing it as a victory for devotees of Lord Jagannath and a recognition of the centuries-old traditions associated with Puri.
Puri MP Sambit Patra, who played a key role in conveying Odisha’s concerns to the West Bengal government, expressed satisfaction over the development. Patra stated that the controversy began after the Digha Jagannath temple was inaugurated in April 2025 and was officially referred to as “Jagannath Dham.”
Purba Medinipur: West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari says, "I am accepting this letter…Let me state clearly that the then-government had approved it as a cultural centre. We will remove the word ‘Dham’. The cultural centre complex will remain, and worship will continue. The entire… https://t.co/RHh0nZ19zZ pic.twitter.com/1pkbGAmWqV
— ANI (@ANI) June 9, 2026
Addressing the media after discussions with West Bengal officials, Patra clarified that neither the Odisha government nor Jagannath devotees had objected to the construction of a Jagannath temple outside Odisha. The objection, he said, was specifically related to the use of the word “Dham,” a title that carries deep spiritual and historical significance in Hindu tradition.
“We have always supported the establishment and promotion of Jagannath temples across India and abroad. However, the term ‘Jagannath Dham’ is inseparably linked with Puri. After submitting a letter from Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, a positive decision has been taken to remove the word ‘Dham’ from the Digha temple’s name,” Patra said.
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
He added that the decision would be appreciated by millions of devotees in Odisha and by followers of Sanatan Dharma across the country.
Suvendu Adhikari Confirms Name Change
Confirming the decision, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said the temple complex would continue to function as a place of worship and cultural activity, but the controversial term would be removed.
“I have accepted the letter sent by the Odisha Chief Minister. The word ‘Dham’ will be removed. The cultural centre complex will remain, worship will continue, and the entire complex will function as a temple. However, the word ‘Dham’ will be dropped,” Adhikari said.
He further acknowledged that many people believed the previous administration had failed to consider public sentiment while adopting the nomenclature.
According to Adhikari, the state government will place a formal proposal before the cabinet to implement the change officially. The move is expected to bring an end to the controversy that has persisted since the temple’s inauguration.
Odisha CM’s Letter Emphasised Puri’s Unique Status
The decision follows repeated appeals from Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who had written both to the present West Bengal administration and earlier to former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee regarding the issue.
In his communication, Majhi highlighted the religious importance of Puri, one of Hinduism’s four sacred Char Dham pilgrimage sites. He argued that the title “Jagannath Dham” is not merely a geographical reference but a sacred designation deeply embedded in Hindu religious tradition.
“The naming of the Jagannath temple complex at Digha as ‘Digha Jagannath Dham’ has generated considerable concern among devotees, religious scholars and various socio-cultural organisations. The term ‘Jagannath Dham’ is intrinsically associated with the sacred abode of Mahaprabhu Shree Jagannath at Puri and carries immense spiritual, historical and cultural significance,” Majhi stated in his letter.
Appealing for intervention, he urged the West Bengal government to adopt a more appropriate title for the temple complex.
“In the spirit of preserving the sanctity and distinct identity associated with Shree Jagannath Dham, Puri, I request your kind intervention to facilitate an appropriate revision of the nomenclature of the Digha temple complex by dropping the word ‘Dham’ and adopting a suitable alternative name such as Shri Jagannath Temple, Digha,” the Odisha Chief Minister wrote.
Majhi had first raised the issue shortly after the inauguration of the Digha temple in May 2025, expressing concern that the use of the title could create confusion among devotees and dilute the unique heritage associated with Puri.
Gajapati Maharaja Raises Scriptural Concerns
The controversy gained further momentum after strong objections were voiced by Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, the traditional King of Puri and the Adya Sevak (Chief Servitor) of Lord Jagannath.
In an official statement issued in May 2025, the Gajapati Maharaja asserted that only Puri, historically known as Shree Purushottama Kshetra or Shreekhetra, possesses the scriptural authority and religious legitimacy to be called “Jagannath Dham.”
“The sanctity and identity of Jagannath Dham are inseparably linked to Puri. According to ancient scriptures and religious traditions upheld by the scholars of Mukti Mandap, no other place can claim this sacred designation,” he stated.
The Mukti Mandap, a revered body of scholars associated with the Jagannath Temple in Puri, has traditionally served as the highest authority on religious matters relating to Jagannath culture and rituals.
Concerns Over Ritual Practices and Temple Traditions
Apart from the naming controversy, the Gajapati Maharaja also raised concerns regarding adherence to traditional Jagannath worship practices.
He noted that according to centuries-old scriptures and customs, the deities of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra are required to be carved exclusively from sacred neem wood, known as Daru. The use of stone or metal idols, he argued, does not conform to the traditions followed at the Jagannath Temple in Puri.
The Gajapati Maharaja further clarified that offerings made to Lord Jagannath in temples outside the Puri Srimandir should not be referred to as “Mahaprasad,” as the term carries a unique theological and ritual significance within the traditions of the Shree Jagannath Temple.
These observations triggered extensive discussions among scholars, servitors, devotees and religious organisations about the preservation of Jagannath traditions outside Odisha.
Support from Cultural Figures and Devotees
The issue also attracted support from prominent cultural personalities. Internationally acclaimed sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik had appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene and help preserve the unique identity of Jagannath Dham at Puri.
Several religious organisations, Jagannath devotees and socio-cultural groups echoed similar concerns, arguing that while the spread of Jagannath worship across India should be encouraged, titles and traditions carrying exclusive historical and scriptural significance must be respected.
Many devotees maintained that preserving the distinct identity of Puri was essential to safeguarding one of India’s most important spiritual and cultural traditions.
With the West Bengal government now agreeing to remove the word “Dham” from the Digha temple complex, the long-running controversy appears to be nearing a resolution.
The temple will continue to serve as a centre of devotion, pilgrimage and cultural activity, but under a revised name that avoids any conflict with the unique status of Puri’s Jagannath Dham.
Religious leaders, scholars and devotees have largely welcomed the decision, viewing it as a gesture of respect toward the sentiments of millions of followers of Lord Jagannath. The move is also expected to strengthen cultural understanding and goodwill between Odisha and West Bengal while preserving the sanctity, heritage and centuries-old traditions associated with Shree Jagannath Dham, Puri.
