TV
The Gajapati Maharaja of Puri clearly stated that the Jagannath temple in Digha cannot be referred to as ‘Jagannath Dham’. In a press release on Monday, he emphasised that only the sacred place of Shree Purushottama Kshetra, commonly known as Shreekhetra (Puri), can be rightly called ‘Jagannath Dham’.
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Referring to the religious authority of Mukti Mandap—a traditional body of scholars in Puri Srimandir (the world-famous and 12th-century Vaishnavite shrine in Odisha)—the Gajapati Maharaja affirmed that, according to scriptures, the three deities (Holy Trinity) must be made exclusively from sacred neem wood (Daru). Construction of idols by using any metal or stone is not sanctioned by tradition, and worshipping such idols is inappropriate.
Puri Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb also added that outside the Srimandir, any offerings made to Lord Jagannath and His divine siblings in any other temples should not be referred to as ‘Mahaprasad’, as doing so is not in accordance with scriptural injunctions.
Worth mentioning, in light of the ongoing dispute over recent consecration of a new temple dedicated to Lord Jagannath in Digha (West Bengal), Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo issued a stern reproach aimed at the government of the neighbouring state on May 2.
India has four Dhams, also known as 'Char Dham'
“Puri Srimandir alone is Jagannath Dham,” Deputy CM KV Singh Deo asserted.
Another Deputy CM, Pravati Parida, emphasised that under the autocratic approaches, pride tends to flourish; however, Lord Jagannath himself does not condone arrogance.
“Arrogance of the ‘autocratic rulers’ gradually reaches a height. We all know very well that our Lord (Jagannath) tolerates everything but not ‘arrogance’. The time will tell whether the ‘arrogance’ is great or our Lord,” Deputy CM Parida said to mediapersons.
Must Read: ‘Puri shrine alone is Jagannath Dham’: Odisha Dy CM on Digha Jagannath temple row
Further addressing the issue, Deputy CM KV Singh Deo reiterated that while constructing temples is not prohibited, Puri holds the exclusive honour of being the Jagannath Dham—an unparalleled spiritual centre in Indian tradition.
