Bengal govt drops 'Dham' from Digha Jagannath Temple name, Odisha welcomes move
The newly formed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in West Bengal on Tuesday announced it will remove the word "Dham" from the name of the Jagannath temple in Digha, ending a year-long controversy that had strained relations with neighbouring Odisha.
The decision was announced by West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari in the presence of Puri MP Sambit Patra and was immediately welcomed by political and religious leaders in Odisha.
Odisha CM's request accepted
Adhikari said Patra had handed over a letter from Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi requesting that the term "Jagannath Dham" be removed from the Digha temple.
"The Puri MP met me and handed over a letter from Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, requesting that the name 'Jagannath Dham' be dropped from the Digha temple. We will remove it by initiating necessary official procedures," Adhikari said.
Calling the previous decision of the Trinamool Congress government led by Mamata Banerjee a "disrespect to Sanatan culture", he said the BJP government would not allow any action that dishonours Hindu traditions.
Temple to be renamed cultural centre
Welcoming the decision, Majhi described it as a historic step.
"I am deeply delighted that CM Suvendu Adhikari Ji has overturned the shortsighted policy of the previous government and recognised the significance of this sensitive issue," he said.
According to Majhi, the complex will now be known as Sri Sri Jagannath Mandir Cultural Center after the removal of the word "Dham".
The Odisha Chief Minister also thanked the Bengal government, saying the decision would strengthen cultural harmony and fraternal ties between the two neighbouring states.
Why the 'Dham' tag triggered opposition
The controversy dates back to April 30, 2025, when Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the Digha temple and referred to it as "Jagannath Dham".
The nomenclature drew immediate objections from Odisha, where the centuries-old Jagannath Temple is revered as one of Hinduism's four sacred dhams.
Several stakeholders, including the temple administration, the Odisha government, Swami Nischalananda Saraswati, Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb and religious organisations, argued that the title "Dham" should remain exclusively associated with the Puri shrine.
Demand unresolved under TMC, gains momentum after BJP victory
Majhi had written to Mamata Banerjee on May 6, 2025, urging her government to reconsider the name. However, the request did not yield any result.
The issue resurfaced after the BJP came to power in West Bengal last month. Patra said he had urged Majhi to raise the matter with the new Bengal government, paving the way for a resolution.
Jagannath Temple administration welcomes decision
The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration also welcomed the move.
Chief Administrator Arabinda Kumar Padhee said the removal of the word "Dham" carried immense spiritual and emotional significance for devotees.
"It carries immense spiritual and emotional significance for millions of devotees. Personally, I feel extremely happy, emotionally touched, and blessed," Padhee said.
The decision is expected to formally end a dispute that had become a major cultural and political issue between Odisha and West Bengal over the past year.
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