Only Puri is true 'Jagannath Dham', not Digha: Jagadguru Rambhadracharya

Amid growing controversy over the West Bengal government’s claim of declaring Digha as ‘Jagannath Dham’, renowned spiritual leader Jagadguru Rambhadracharya made a strong statement during his visit to Shreekhetra Puri, affirming that ‘Puri is the one and only Jagannath Dham’ and that Digha can never be called Jagannath Dham.

This remark comes at a time when the West Bengal government is reportedly preparing to designate the recently built Jagannath temple in Digha as a ‘Dham’. While Rath Yatra was organised for the first time this year in Digha, many devotees from Bengal visiting Puri have expressed dissatisfaction and disapproval over the 'Dham' claim.

During his visit to Puri, Jagadguru Rambhadracharya, Padma Vibhushan awardee and noted spiritual leader, said, “Shreekhetra Puri is the sacred Nilachala Dham. Lord Jagannath, the living embodiment of Daru Brahma, resides only here. His darshan brings deep peace to the soul. The attempts to label the Digha temple as a Jagannath Dham are not only objectionable but also unacceptable.”

What Bengali devotees say....

Even among the Bengali devotees attending the sacred Rath Yatra in Puri, many have raised their voices against calling the Digha temple a ‘Dham’. Large numbers of devotees from West Bengal took part in the traditional Rath Yatra in Puri, and many, after experiencing the divine atmosphere of Shreekhetra, were moved with emotion and reverence, openly stating that Puri alone holds the spiritual grandeur of Lord Jagannath.

There is no confusion in the minds of true devotees—they believe firmly that Digha cannot be equated with the sanctity of Puri.

Must Read: Digha temple is not ‘Jagannath Dham’: Puri Gajapati Maharaja

“There is a Jagannath temple in Digha. However, Puri is the original abode of Lord Jagannath and that is why the place is called Shreekhetra,” said a Bengali devotee.

The Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government has constructed a Jagannath temple in Digha. However, this move has sparked intense backlash, not just in Odisha but also among the global Jagannath devotee community.

While the Rath Yatra was held in Digha for the first time this year, true Jagannath devotees remain emotionally and spiritually rooted in Puri, reiterating that no imitation can replace the divinity of Shreekhetra.