New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Sambit Patra criticized the West Bengal government for naming a recently built Jagannath temple in Digha as “Jagannath Dham.” He emphasized that only one place in the world holds that title—the Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha.
During a press briefing, Patra stated, “There is only one Jagannath Dham in the world, located in Puri. No other place can be called Jagannath Dham. India has four sacred Dhams, but Jagannath Dham in Puri is the most significant. There is no doubt about that.” He added that as an MP from Puri and an Odia, he is awaiting the findings of an investigation by the temple administration on this matter.
Earlier, Odisha Minister Prithviraj Harichandan also voiced his disapproval, accusing West Bengal of creating confusion by naming the new Digha temple “Jagannath Dham.” He clarified that no temple outside Puri can be called a Dham, and announced that an internal probe is underway. The investigation involves questions about the temple’s consecration, participation of Puri temple sevayats, and the use of “Daru Katha” for idol creation, as the Odisha government believes these issues offend the sentiments of Lord Jagannath’s devotees.
Additionally, BJP MP Pradip Purohit echoed these concerns, stating that only one Jagannath Dham exists in Puri and that Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal’s Chief Minister, cannot establish another. Speaking to ANI, he said, “Mamata Banerjee cannot build a Dham, there’s only one in Puri. We appreciate the new temple in Digha, but it cannot be called Jagannath Dham.”
Sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik also urged Mamata Banerjee to issue an immediate order to prevent calling the Digha temple “Jagannath Dham,” warning that such naming causes confusion among devotees.
The Rs 250-crore temple, covering over 20 acres, was inaugurated by Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday. It draws inspiration from the 12th-century Jagannath Temple of Puri and enshrines the same deities.