Devote, pastor from Odisha demands removal of the “Jagannath Dham” tag from Digha Temple

Lord Jagannath of Odisha and part of the priests portrayed the newly formed Digha Temple as “Jagannath Dham”, which considered it a “self-spinning” title.

Ramakrushna Dasmohapatra joined the voice of the phrase “Jagannath Dham” which demanded the withdrawal of the new temple in Spain on April 30, on April 30 (May 2, 2025).

He told reporters here: “I also ask West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to remove the word 'Dham' from Digha Jagannath Temple.”

“I also urge the Odisha government and the Shree Jagannath Temple government (SJTA) to start a conversation on the matter. According to my understanding, Puri is the only place called “Jagannath Dham”,” said Dasmohapatra, who added that he will write to Banerjee in this regard.

Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo said Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi was aware of the development but urged everyone to “not jump the gun”.

Controversy about the label “Jagannath Dham”

“I know India has four 'dhams', my knowledge is limited and I don't have wise knowledge. Let her prove why she calls her Digha Temple “Dham”. There may be several Jagannath Semples in the country, but Puri is the only Jagannath 'Dham',” he asserted.

In the controversy about “Brahma” (the sacred material included in the idol of Lord St. Jaganat) was also placed on the idol of Dig Temple, Ramakrushna said: “I did not install any such material on the idol. I monitored the prescribed procedures during my time in Puja.” Although many Hindu pastors, researchers, servants and scholars rejected the name of Jaganat Temple in Dag's “dham”, the famous sand artist and Padma Shri winner Sudarsan Pattnaik seek clarification from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

He accused Ms. Banerjee of hurting religious sentiments from Jagannath devotees around the world.

After taking office at Jagannath Temple in Digha on Wednesday, Ms. Banerjee called it “Dham”.

Although most critics welcome the establishment of the temple in Digha, they strongly oppose the connection between the term “Dham” and it.

The Padma winner said in a letter to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi: “This statement seriously undermines the religious sentiment of millions of Jagannath devotees. According to our fear of scripture, there is only one “Jagannath Dham” that exists with a “Jagannath Dham” which is associated with other temples in Puri. The sand artist urged Majhi to intervene in the matter, interact with his West Bengal and take appropriate action.

Mr Pattnaik also highlighted reports that some “Sevayats” (servers) at the Puri Temple, which attended the inauguration of Digha Temple, claimed that “Brahma” had been installed on Lord Jagannath's stone idol.

He asserted: “This statement is very sensitive because the concept of 'Brahma' in the idol of Mahaprabhu Jagannath is a sacred and unique feature of the original temple of Puri, rooted in traditions and rituals that have been kept secret for centuries.”

Mr. Pattnaik shared a copy of his letter with the Minister of Law Prithiviraj Harichandan, who requested a thorough investigation of the state government, especially to clarify the use of the word “Brahma” and “Jagannath Dham”.

Speaking to PTI, Mr Pattnaik said: “I ask the Chief Minister of West Bengal to apologize to the millions of Jagannath devotees for projecting the temple on Digha as 'Dham.

“This seems to be part of an evil plot against Jagannath Dham and Sanatan Dharma,” he claimed.

Noting that Adi Shankaracharya gave the status of “Dham” to Puri'Peeth' of Jagannath, senior servant Ramachandra Dasmohapatra said: “How does Digha become “Dham”? All the oceans are not 'Mahodadhi' or Jagannath Temple of World of World depopoy depy'''Mahodadhi' or all the places around the world. Shree Jagannath Sena convener Priyadarshan Pattnaik also spoke out loud to Ms. Banerjee and urged her to stop “misleading” the people of Bangladesh.

He added: “Mamata Didi should not mislead the Bangladesh. Bengals know what is, it is hard to mislead them.”