‘Jagannath Dham’ tag for West Bengal's Digha temple sparks row, Odisha orders probe

BHUBANESWAR: State govt on Friday ordered an investigation into alleged adoption of the name Jagannath Dham by the newly constructed Jagannath temple in Digha, West Bengal and examine claims that surplus wooden logs from the Puri shrine had been used to create the idols of the Digha temple. The probe will be carried out by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Puri.
In a letter addressed to SJTA chief administrator Arabinda Padhee, law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said, "Contradictory information has been circulating regarding the construction of a temple of Lord Jagannath in Digha — the name of the temple being changed to Jagannath Dham, the participation of sevayats (servitors) from Puri in the consecration of the temple, and the construction of idols using leftover wood from Puri are unacceptable."
Claiming the development has hurt the sentiments of people of Odisha, the law minister said, "SJTA will conduct an internal investigation and bring the truth to the public. If anyone is found guilty, SJTA may initiate action following the state govt's approval."
Servitors of Puri Jagannath Temple also urged chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi to discuss the issue with his West Bengal counterpart, Mamata Banerjee, expressing their concern about the use of Jagannath Dham as the temple's name in Digha.
Deputy CM K V Singh Deo too endorsed the servitors' demand, stating that the nomenclature (Jagannath Dham) should be exclusively reserved for the Puri shrine, which is one of India's four dhams.
"Puri is revered as the Jagannath Dham. It is one of the four holy dhams of the country. This nomenclature should not be used by West Bengal for the Digha Jagannath temple," said senior servitor Ramakrushna Dasmohapatra, who is secretary of Daitapati Nijog of the Puri temple.
Somanath Khuntia, another servitor, said, "The SJTA should take offence at the issue and take appropriate steps to safeguard the emotions of Jagannath lovers of Puri."
Some servitors also criticised Dasmohapatra for attending the consecration ceremony at the Digha temple on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya on Wednesday.
"It is sad that Dasmohapatra attended the ceremony, but he did not advise the Bengal authorities to refrain from using the term Jagannath Dham," Khuntia said.
Singh Deo said the CM has been informed about the issue and would take appropriate steps. "We do not oppose nor question the establishment of the Jagannath temple in Digha. But it should not be branded or promoted as Jagannath Dham. Puri is the Jagannath Dham in the country. Our chief minister is aware of the issue and will take necessary action," he told the media.
Prior to the Digha temple's inauguration, multiple associations of servitors of Puri temple had cautioned their members against performing any puja or preparing prasad at the ceremony, threatening disciplinary action.