WB govt stooping new low by labelling Digha temple as Jagannath Dham: Suvendu Adhikari

The ongoing controversy surrounding the Digha Jagannath temple in West Bengal has now taken a significant political and cultural overtones, with West Bengal’s Leader of Opposition and BJP leader, Suvendu Adhikari, strongly welcoming the Odisha government’s decision to launch an investigation into the matter.

In a post on social media, Suvendu Adhikari expressed deep concern over the reported use of "Nabakalebara Daru" (sacred wood) in constructing the temple at Digha and called it a grave insult to Jagannath culture.

“I welcome the steps taken by Odisha Minister of Law, Works & Excise, government of Odisha for a thorough investigation into the controversies involving the disgraceful conduct of persons of interest associated with the Shree Jagannath Temple of Puri,” wrote Adhikari.

He further stated, “The questionable involvement of Servitors, and the unauthorized use of surplus Sacred Wood (sacred Neem wood from the Nabakalebara rituals) are directly affront to ethics and morality surrounding the Jagannath Culture and centuries long traditions.”

Adhikari Targets WB Government

In his social media post, West Bengal’s Leader of Opposition alleged that West Bengal Government have stooped to a new low with their deceitful tactics, officially labelling the Digha Project as the “Jagannath Dham Cultural Centre” in documents, but promoting it as a “Jagannath Temple” to mislead devotees and exploit their faith.

Regarding the controversy of naming a newly constructed site as a "Dham" must be addressed and West Bengal Government's duplicity should be exposed. 

"Dhams" hold immense religious and cultural significance, deeply tied to specific deities, traditions, and historical contexts. The concept of a "Dham" in Hinduism refers to a sacred pilgrimage site. Traditionally and historically the four Dhams are Badrinath, Dwarka, Puri, and Rameswaram. The Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, is one such Dham, uniquely revered as the abode of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra, with centuries old rituals like the Rath Yatra, his post read.

In the case of the Jagannath Dham Cultural Centre in Digha, West Bengal, calling it a "Dham" has sparked controversy because it’s perceived as an attempt to replicate or rival the sanctity of Puri’s Jagannath Dham without the same spiritual or traditional authenticity. 
The Puri temple’s unique rituals, servitor traditions (like the Daitapatis), and historical significance can’t be replicated by simply building a new structure and labeling it a "Dham." This has led to objections from devotees across the world, who see it as a dilution of our cultural and religious identity, said Adhikari. 

There are Lord Jagannath Temples across India and the world, such as in Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, or even internationally in places like the USA, but they are not called "Jagannath Dham" in a way that suggests equivalence to Puri, he added.