The West Bengal Government has decided to remove the word “Dham” from the name of the Jagannath Temple in Digha and officially rename it as the Digha Jagannath Cultural Centre. The decision comes after sustained objections and concerns raised by Odisha over the use of the revered title traditionally associated with the sacred Jagannath Temple in Puri.
The development has been welcomed by religious servitors, political leaders, and devotees who had expressed concerns over the use of the term “Jagannath Dham” for the temple in Digha.
West Bengal Responds to Odisha’s Concerns
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had earlier objected to the use of the term “Jagannath Dham” for the Digha temple, stating that the title holds deep religious and cultural significance and has historically been associated with Puri, one of Hinduism’s most revered pilgrimage destinations.
Following the concerns raised by Odisha and various stakeholders, the West Bengal Government has now decided to remove the term “Dham” from the temple’s name and rename the establishment as the Digha Jagannath Cultural Centre.
Temple Servitor Welcomes the Decision
A senior servitor of the Shree Jagannath Temple expressed gratitude to the West Bengal Government for taking the step.
Reacting to the decision, the servitor thanked the authorities for removing the word “Dham” and welcomed the renaming of the temple complex. He noted that the move respects the religious sentiments associated with Lord Jagannath and the historic significance of Puri.
BJP Leader Manmohan Samal Calls It a Victory for Public Sentiment
Odisha BJP President Manmohan Samal also welcomed the decision, describing it as a matter closely linked to public and devotee sentiments.
Speaking on the development, Samal said people are happy with the outcome and appreciated the removal of the term “Dham” from the temple’s name. According to him, the issue was deeply connected to the emotions of Jagannath devotees, and the latest decision has addressed those concerns.
Key Developments
- West Bengal Government has removed the word “Dham” from the Digha Jagannath Temple’s name.
- The temple will now be known as the Digha Jagannath Cultural Centre.
- Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had objected to the use of the term.
- A senior Shree Jagannath Temple servitor welcomed the decision.
- Odisha BJP President Manmohan Samal said the move respects public sentiment.
Conclusion
The renaming of the Digha temple as the Digha Jagannath Cultural Centre marks a significant development in a matter that had drawn attention from religious leaders, political representatives, and devotees across Odisha. The decision is being viewed as a step toward respecting the historical and spiritual significance associated with the Jagannath tradition and the sacred identity of Puri.
