Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government is considering legal steps to challenge the use of the term ‘dham’ for the newly opened Jagannath temple in Digha, West Bengal. State Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan stated that discussions with legal experts are ongoing, and a final decision will be made soon.
The controversy began when West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the Digha Jagannath temple on April 30 and referred to it as ‘Jagannath Dham’.
This triggered strong objections in Odisha, where the 12th-century Jagannath Temple in Puri is traditionally recognized as the only ‘dham’ (a sacred abode) associated with Lord Jagannath.
On May 6, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi wrote to Mamata Banerjee, urging her to avoid using the ‘dham’ title for the Digha temple. However, even after 10 days, the Odisha government has not received any response from West Bengal.
Harichandan expressed disappointment over the silence from the Bengal government, stating,
The controversy began when West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the Digha Jagannath temple on April 30 and referred to it as ‘Jagannath Dham’.
This triggered strong objections in Odisha, where the 12th-century Jagannath Temple in Puri is traditionally recognized as the only ‘dham’ (a sacred abode) associated with Lord Jagannath.
On May 6, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi wrote to Mamata Banerjee, urging her to avoid using the ‘dham’ title for the Digha temple. However, even after 10 days, the Odisha government has not received any response from West Bengal.
Harichandan expressed disappointment over the silence from the Bengal government, stating,
“We are examining legal options since the term ‘dham’ holds deep religious and cultural significance for Odisha. Only the Puri Jagannath Temple can rightfully be called a ‘dham’.”The Odisha government’s stance is supported by two Shankaracharyas (spiritual leaders) and the titular king of Puri, Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, who chairs the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee (SJTMC). The Gajapati Maharaja had earlier strongly opposed the use of the ‘dham’ tag for the Digha temple, emphasizing that Puri is one of the Char Dhams (four sacred Hindu pilgrimage sites) and holds unparalleled religious importance.
The dispute highlights the cultural and religious sensitivities surrounding Lord Jagannath’s worship, which is deeply rooted in Odisha’s heritage. The state government is determined to protect the sanctity of the Puri temple and may proceed with legal action if West Bengal continues to ignore its concerns.
As the debate continues, devotees and religious scholars are closely watching the developments, which could have broader implications for how sacred titles are used for temples outside their traditional locations.
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