TV
The Chhatisa Nijog, a key decision-making body of the Shree Jagannath Temple administration in Puri, Odisha, has strongly condemned the naming of the newly constructed temple at Digha in West Bengal as "Jagannath Dham".
In a sharp and structured response, they have demanded immediate withdrawal of the controversial nomenclature and have urged the Odisha government to officially communicate this demand to the West Bengal government. They further advised the Shree Jagannath Temple Chief Administrator to take legal counsel and explore judicial options if necessary.
During a recent meeting held on Saturday, the Nijog expressed deep concern over the usage of the term "Jagannath Dham" which they claim is entirely condemnable and misleading. It violates the sanctity of the original Dham at Puri, which holds unique historical and religious significance," said senior Nijog members.
Adding to the controversy, the Nijog also raised questions over the unauthorized handling of sacred "Daru" — the divine Neem wood used during the Nabakalebara ritual to carve new idols of the Lord at Puri Jagannath temple.
Allegations surfaced that during the last Nabakalebara, some remaining portion of the sacred wood was held solely under the control of one Nijog, which led to gross irregularity. This alleged breach of protocol, they claimed, has led to confusion and disorder.
They have demanded that the temple administration immediately investigate the matter and ensure strict punishment for those responsible for the mishandling of the sacred wood.
"The sacred (remaining) Daru is not ordinary timber. It is spiritually significant and meant to be protected with the utmost reverence. Using it for other purposes or outside prescribed rituals is unacceptable. We urge the temple administration to take this matter seriously and penalize the guilty," stated a senior Nijog functionary.
As pressure mounts, all eyes are now on the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) to initiate a formal investigation and pursue legal action to protect the legacy and sanctity of the centuries-old Jagannath cult.
SJTA In Action Mode
Amidst the ongoing controversy surrounding the new Digha temple, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) in Puri has issued a formal notice to Ramkrushna Das Mahapatra, the Secretary of the Daitapati Nijog, in connection with his recent comments to a Bengali news channel regarding the Digha Jagannath Temple.
The notice follows instructions from Odisha’s Law Minister, who has ordered an inquiry into the matter. Mahapatra is likely to be questioned by the Chief Administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple regarding the authenticity and implications of his public statements.
According to official sources, the administration is particularly concerned about the details shared by Mahapatra concerning the sacred Daru (wood chamber), including information on who had custody of the keys and the quantity of divine Daru (sacred neem wood) stored. The comments, made during a televised interview, have sparked widespread debate and drawn scrutiny from both the temple administration and the Odisha government.
In a significant move, the Shree Jagannath Temple Niti Administrator has also issued notices to the Presidents and Secretaries of all Sevayat Nijogs (traditional temple servitor bodies), requesting that if anyone has any opinions or facts related to the Digha temple issue, they must share it in writing with the Niti Administrator by 5:00 PM tomorrow.
The notice clearly states that any official or servitor of the temple making public statements on sensitive religious or administrative matters must first report such information to the temple authority. This directive is being seen as a step to ensure discipline, avoid misinformation, and protect the sanctity of the 12th-century shrine.
The issue stems from growing controversies over the naming and construction of a new Jagannath temple in Digha, West Bengal, which has drawn criticism for potentially misusing sacred symbols and practices originally belonging to Puri’s Shree Jagannath Temple.
Authorities are also probing whether sacred Daru, used in Nabakalebara rituals, has been misappropriated in the process.
