A rift between the states of Odisha and West Bengal has emerged with the construction of a new temple in Digha, West Bengal, called “Jagannath Dham.” The clash has transformed into a socio-cultural, religious, and political struggle, with Odisha ordering an inquiry and undoing the name traditionally held by the 12th-century shrine in Puri.
The Heart Point of the Issue
The inauguration of the temple of Jagannath, situated in Digha, a famous seaside town, took place on April 30, 2025, by the Bengal government. The temple has been constructed over 22 acres and is estimated to cost around 250 crores. The temple was marketed as an all-embracing spiritual and generational site. However, controversy arose when the temple was entitled “Jagannath Dham”; the title is given profound religious importance for the original shrine at Puri, Odisha, one of four sacred Dhams established by Adi Shankaracharya.
Servitors and worshippers are up in arms because the phrase **Jagannath Dham** can only have meaning in Puri, and using it elsewhere without understanding its traditions would misrepresent centuries-old customs. Archaeological findings reveal that this matter brings up strong emotions for the 4.5 crore Odia population and millions of once-Jagannath devotees.
Odisha Government Orders Probe
In an equally strong response, Odisha’s Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan wrote to the SJTA chief administrator Arabinda Kumar Padhee, instructing him to conduct an internal probe into several contentious issues such as identifiable appropriation of Digha Temple to “Digha Jagannath Dham,” involvement of Puri servitors in the idol’s commissioning, and misdemeanor of carving figures out of excess consecrated neem wood from Puri’s Nabakalebara rituals.
The minister added, “I find these also ‘unacceptable’ and wish for more frankness. How can conflicting Jagannath culture information be dispersed, which hurts devotees’ sentiments?” The SJTA meets servitors and compiles evidence to verify the claims, while the SJTA is hopeful of an early conclusion. The head of temple administration has similarly called heads of all servitor units and expects written views by May 4.
Religious Feelings and Social Issues
Odisha’s senior servitors and religious scholars are shocked by the application of the term “Dham” to the Digha temple. They have noted Digha’s architectural similarities with Puri’s Jagannath temple. Ramakrishna Das Mohapatra, a senior Puri servitor who attended Digha’s inauguration at the invitation of the West Bengal Chief Minister, has been quite openly criticised. The servitor group insists that the mere locality of Jagannath Puri should not be diminished by bestowing inapposite extensions.
Notable sand artist, who has also been an honorary member of the Srimandir managing committee, Sudarsan Pattnaik, has written to the Chief Minister of Odisha. Through the letter, he persuasively appeals for action. Pattnaik argued that people would be misled regarding the functionality of this temple, as scriptures only identify one Jagannath Dham within Puri. Further, he expressed concern regarding the Brahma (soul) “mortar” (idols), which he says makes them unportable, an attribute of the temple to Digha, which he claims is declared to replicate the Digha.
Political Aspects and Public Responses
The conflict has very swiftly adopted political aspects. Odisha leaders like Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida and Puri MP Sambit Patra have blasted the government of West Bengal over the naming of the temple and the role of Puri servitors. Patra said, “No other place can be called Jagannath Dham. The Lord himself exclusively resides in Puri.”
On the other hand, West Bengal’s ruling party, Trinamool Congress TMC, has defended the temple project as a cultural landmark contributing to the heritage and tourism of the region. TMC spokesperson Jay Prakash Majumdar has described the BJP’s objections as politically motivated, arguing that the opposition party has communalised an essentially religious issue.
Bengal BJP leaders have rallied behind the call from Odisha to investigate, saying there should be more regard for the boundaries of identity already set in the society. Opposition head Suvendu Adhikari has raised questions about using public resources for what is purported to be a temple and whether it is a temple or a culture centre masquerading as one.
Effects on Worshippers and Tourism
The row has disturbed millions of Jagannath followers who consider the shrine in Puri sacred. The clash puts the tourism-based economy of Puri at risk, which is heavily reliant on the spiritual status of the temple. Culturally minded people and devotees want the two states to solve the dispute and stop interfering in each other’s affairs to sustain harmony among different religions.
A blunder of colossal proportions has added fuel to the exacerbating meme culture
Currently, the SJTA continues interacting with its servitors, meaning its users remain loyal followers. An important notice has been provided to influential members, primarily Ramakrishna Das Mohapatra. He has been instructed to give expositions detailing his observations and explanations of the current projects.
Discussions aimed at speaking on the collaborative findings discovered by the members are set to be held under the ‘forward motion’ agenda.
The government of Odisha has burned fingers urging the West Bengal government to instantly modernise the controversial ‘description’ used to avoid potential blurring of boundaries. Both states are struggling in conflict under pressure to resolve the inner dispute without further straining the dilapidated relationship. Wrapped Up
The Jagannath Dham row in Digha highlights the blurred lines of belief, culture and politics in India’s religious context. While West Bengal tries to deepen its roots on so many levels, Odissa is trying to protect the age-old identities of spiritualism. The next few weeks will be crucial to determine whether respect for tradition and dialogue can outbalance discord, ensuring that the love and history related to Jagannath are untouched.
You may read this: Digha’s Jagannath Dham Temple: A Unique Blend of Modern Inclusivity and Tradition
