Why Is West Bengal Removing ‘Dham’ from the Jagannath Temple in Digha?

The West Bengal government has announced that the word “Dham” will be removed from the newly built Jagannath Temple in Digha, ending a controversy that has persisted since the temple’s inauguration in April 2025.

The decision came after Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi formally objected to the use of the term and sent a letter to the West Bengal government through Puri MP Sambit Patra. The letter was handed over to West Bengal minister Suvendu Adhikari.

The dispute centred on the naming of the Digha shrine as “Jagannath Dham,” a title many religious leaders and political figures argued should remain exclusively associated with the historic Jagannath Temple in Puri.

What Did the West Bengal Government Say?

Announcing the decision, Suvendu Adhikari said the word “Dham” would be removed while worship and temple activities would continue uninterrupted.

“I am accepting this letter. When I visited ISKCON, I discussed the temple in Digha. Let me state clearly that the then-government had approved it as a cultural centre. We will remove the word 'Dham'. The cultural centre complex will remain, and worship will continue. The entire complex will function as a temple, but the word 'Dham' will be dropped. I, too, felt that the previous government had disregarded people's sentiments,” he said.

The statement signals that while the temple’s religious functions will remain unchanged, its official nomenclature will be altered to address concerns raised by devotees and religious stakeholders.

Why Was the Name ‘Jagannath Dham’ Controversial?

The controversy stemmed from the belief that the term “Dham” carries deep religious significance and is traditionally associated with the centuries-old Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha.

Political leaders from the BJP and Biju Janata Dal (BJD), along with several spiritual leaders, argued that using the same title for the Digha temple could dilute the unique religious status of Puri’s Jagannath shrine.

Critics maintained that while new Jagannath temples can be established across India, the designation “Jagannath Dham” has historically referred to the revered pilgrimage site in Puri.

What Did Odisha Leaders Say?

Puri MP Sambit Patra reiterated that Odisha’s objection was not to the construction of a Jagannath temple outside the state, but specifically to the use of the word “Dham”.

“You are aware of how, in April 2025, the then-Bengal government established and inaugurated a Jagannath Temple in Digha, naming it 'Jagannath Dham'. We have no objection to the promotion or expansion of Jagannath temples...Even at that time, our Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and all of us criticised the use of the name 'Dham,'” he said.

Patra welcomed the West Bengal government’s decision and thanked Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for agreeing to the change.

“Today, I arrived at Nabanna as an emissary, carrying a letter from the Chief Minister. I handed over the letter from the Chief Minister to Suvendu Adhikari, and subsequently, a decision was made today to remove the word 'Dham'. It will be known as 'Jagannath Temple'. I would like to express my gratitude to Chief Minister Suvendu ji; this is significant for crores of Odia people, for Puri, for Odisha, and for the followers of Sanatan Dharma across India,” he said.

What Is the Digha Jagannath Temple?

The Jagannath Temple in Digha was inaugurated by Mamata Banerjee on April 30, 2025. Built at a cost of approximately Rs 250 crore and spread across 20 acres, the temple was designed on the lines of the 12th-century Jagannath Temple in Puri and houses the same deities worshipped there.

Since its inauguration, however, the temple has repeatedly drawn criticism over its branding as “Jagannath Dham,” leading to a sustained debate between religious groups and political leaders from Odisha and West Bengal.

What Happens Next?

With the decision to remove the word “Dham,” the temple is expected to be officially referred to simply as the Jagannath Temple, Digha. The move is likely to ease tensions surrounding the issue while allowing the temple to continue functioning as a major religious and cultural centre on West Bengal’s coast.

(With inputs from ANI)