Conspiracy against Puri? After Dham row by West Bengal, attempts made to boycott Odisha tourism

Amidst the ongoing controversy surrounding the new Jagannath temple in Digha, which has drawn criticism from different quarters in Odisha after it was tagged as ‘Jagannath Dham’,  another row has now erupted between the two neighbouring states- Odisha and West Bengal.

Many believe that it was a deliberate attempt by West Bengal to first hijack ‘Jagannath Dham’ and now a trend has been started on social media to boycott Puri, one of the key tourism destinations in Odisha and also the land of Lord Jagannath, which is one among the four religious Dhams in the country.

A Whiff Of Conspiracy...

The sacred city of Puri, revered as the abode of Lord Jagannath and one of the Char Dhams of India, is seemingly under the shadow of a well-orchestrated and alarming conspiracy. In recent weeks, various developments—both online and offline—have hinted at a deliberate attempt by certain vested interest groups to malign the spiritual and cultural significance of Puri.

Initially, suspicions were raised over efforts to hijack the revered identity of Jagannath Dham, but the situation has taken a more troubling turn with the emergence of a "Boycott Puri" trend on social media platforms.

This trend, though seemingly spontaneous, appears to be the result of a coordinated campaign by some divisive forces, particularly from neighbouring West Bengal. These groups, allegedly motivated by political and ideological interests, are spreading propaganda with the intent of creating social and religious discord.

More About the Controversy:

The flashpoint of this controversy was the construction of a Jagannath Temple in Digha, West Bengal. This development sparked debates and strong reactions in Odisha, especially regarding the alleged misuse of sacred daru (wood) traditionally used for the deities in Puri’s Jagannath temple’s Nabakalebara ritual. 

Eminent sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik said, “I had written to Odisha CM after the inauguration of Digha temple. Later, some groups have been created and it appears that these are fake accounts created to conspire against Odisha. Those who are playing with Lord Jagannath, they cannot survive.”

Pattnaik informed in a tweet to West Bengal CM, such tweets to boycott Puri have started. It is also an attempt to divide both states.

“The original abode of Lord Jagannath is in Puri and millions of devotees come here from far-off places to have a glimpse of Him,” Pattnaik added.

Digital Offensive Aimed at Undermining Puri’s Heritage

As Odisha took a firm stance to protect its centuries-old religious traditions, certain groups from across the border have allegedly launched a digital offensive aimed at undermining Puri’s heritage.

Now, several social media handles and influencers have started promoting the idea of boycotting Puri as a tourist destination. But experts and observers argue that such trends go far beyond mere tourism concerns—they aim to disconnect devotees from the spiritual essence of Srikshetra, turning a revered religious center into a target for cultural dilution and regional rivalry.

"Puri is not just a tourist spot. It is a living center of divine energy and spiritual devotion," said a senior servitor of the Jagannath Temple. 

"These attempts to reduce it to a mere economic entity, and to drive wedges between devotees from different regions, are deeply hurtful and dangerous," he said.

Steps Taken By Odisha Government:

The Odisha government, aware of the sensitivities involved, has already taken strong steps in response to the Digha Jagannath Temple issue. Cultural and legal experts have emphasized that the temple rituals, deity representations, and sacred traditions of Puri are inextricably tied to Odisha’s unique spiritual legacy, as any unauthorized replication or deviation risks hurting religious sentiments and violating established norms.

The "Boycott Puri" campaign thus seems to be more than a digital trend—it is being interpreted by many as part of a larger conspiracy to weaken the spiritual, cultural, and social fabric of Odisha. As this trend gains traction, it raises serious questions about digital misinformation, inter-state relations, and the future of religious harmony.

Senior priests, scholars, and community leaders have called for awareness and unity among devotees. They urge citizens not to be misled by divisive propaganda and to stand firm in preserving the sanctity and spiritual glory of Puri, which has been a beacon of devotion, culture, and inclusivity for centuries.

The battle for Puri is not just about geography—it is about heritage, identity, and the soul of a civilization.

Jagannath Sena Also Reacts

Jagannath Sena convenor Priyadarshan Patnaik said, “No one can stop devotees. Duplicate is duplicate and original is original. There are thousands of Jagannath temples, but the main temple is in Puri.”