Senior Pastor Puri Jagannath Temple was suspended for participating in Digha Temple

Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri. |Photo source: Biswaranjan Rout

Ramkrishna Das Mohapatra, premium Sevayat (Traditional Pastor) has been suspended for 30 days at Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri (May 11, 2025) and is allegedly related to his participation in Jagannath Temple in Digha, West Bengal.

The Odisha government had earlier ordered an investigation into allegations that the remaining wood purchased for the Nabakalebara ceremony at Puri Temple has been used to carve the idols of the siblings of Digha Temple. Although the Odisha government denies using any leftovers Daru (Sacred Wood) In the Digha Temple, Mr. Mohapatra’s claim is regarded as a detriment to the sacredness and tradition of the Puri Temple.

In an interview with Bangladesh TV Channel Sevayat Already claimed this Daru The Nabakalebara ceremony is used in the Digha Temple. Later he withdrew the statement and called it the tongue.

Mr. Mohapatra was prohibited from entering the Puri Temple premises or attending any ceremony during his suspension. Shree Jagannatha Temple government warns any attempt to influence others Sevayats Or rituals that destroy temples will lead to longer bans and stricter disciplines. Mr. Mohapatra’s actions will be closely monitored throughout the moratorium.

Another controversy broke out with the name of the Dage Temple “Jagannath Dham”. The Odisha government strongly opposes the use of the term in West Bengal and believes it undermines the unique spiritual and cultural identity of Jagannath Dham of Puri. Chief Minister Mohan Majhi formally urged his West Bengal Mamata Banerjee to drop the “Dham” tag from Digha Temple.

“It is well known that Shree Jagannath Dham of Puri, Odisha, is one of the Hindu Char Dhams with unparalleled religious, spiritual and cultural significance, not only the people of Odisha, but also for millions of devotees in India and around the world,” Mr Majhi said in his exchange.

The name of Puri, the king of gajapati maharaja dibyasingha deb, also called on the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) to intervene and intervene in the “Dham” from the name of the temple in Digha.