West Bengal CM said Jagannath Temple in Digha will be an important pilgrimage. Open the door for the public

Jagannath Temple in Digha is officially open. File | Image source: Debasish Bhaduri

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee unveiled on Wednesday (April 30, 2025) at Jagannath Temple in Digha, Purba Medinipur district, state, adding that the spirituality of the temple will survive for thousands of years.

“I believe this temple will be spread as a pilgrimage along the coastline for thousands of years,” the chief minister said.

The Rs 25 billion temple has built 20 acres of land similar to the 12th-century temple of the same god Puri. Ms Banerjee said the temple has four entrance points or dwarves and all other facilities for rituals. “Along with the Chaitanya dwarves, other essential temple structures were also built. They will be held here every day. As part of the beautification work, 500 trees were planted in the temple.”

Several artists from the Bangladeshi music and film industry performed at the inauguration ceremony, after which Ms. Banerjee opened the gates to the temple sanctuary around 3.10 pm.

The inauguration of the temple is a much-anticipated event for the ruling party, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee having been camping in Digha for the past three days. The President of the Congress of Trinamool directed her administration to ensure that photos of the temple and Prasad were distributed throughout the state.

“I will also ask the government to ensure that the photos and Prasad are distributed not only in Bangladesh, but also to other parts of the country,” the Chief Minister said.

The towering structure of the temple is more than 210 feet from the road level. This temple is an extraordinary example of the style of Kalinga architecture within the framework of Nagara Staptya, while the main temple houses the crown of Lord Vishnu, Neela Chakra (Eight-Spoke Wheel) on its top. The chief minister said the temple had two idols, Lord Jaganat, Lord Balabadra and a goddess made of marble Subhadra, and another idol made of wood, who were dedicated in the temple and followed the necessary daily rituals from Wednesday.

The Chief Minister opened the door to the temple with the slogans Jagannath and Joy Bangla. Political observers believe this is much like the inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya in January 2024, and the President of the Congress of Trinamool has sent Lord Jagnnath from Puri, Odisha to West Bengal, a pilgrimage frequented by the people of the state. Trinamool also believes that the temple’s inauguration is also considered an attempt to oppose BJP Hindutva’s push in the state.

The leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party decided to boycott the event. The leader of opposition Suvendu Adhikari said on Wednesday that he began work on rebuilding nine temples in Murshidabad, which were attacked during the riots of Dhulian and Samserganj. Mr Adhikari also organized a “Sanatani Sammelan” in Contai in the Purba Medinipur area, where Jagannath Temple was announced.