Mamata Banerjee performs Maha Yajna day before inaugurating Bengal Jagannath temple
Ahead of the inauguration of the Jagannath Dham in West Bengal's Digha, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee participated in a Maha Yajna on Tuesday. The yajna, which commenced on April 25, was an essential part of the preparations for the temple's inauguration on Wednesday on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya.During the ceremony, Banerjee offered prayers, performed the Purnahuti ritual and conducted the aarti herself. The Maha Yajna featured 100 quintals of mango wood and bel wood, symbolising spiritual growth and purification.
advertisementTwo quintals of ghee were offered for spiritual illumination. 60 Iskcon members and 35 priests participated in the event. Rajesh Daityapati and his team from the Puri Jagannath temple also participated in the yajna and will be present for the pran pratishtha of Lord Jagannath.
The inauguration ceremony, set to take place between 3 pm and 3.10 pm on Wednesday, will be attended by Banerjee and is expected to draw large crowds. The event aims to promote cultural and spiritual harmony, with the temple serving as a symbol of Bengali heritage and spirituality.
The Jagannath Dham in Digha is a replica of the iconic Puri Jagannath Temple. The temple, built in the Kalinga architectural style, is a grand structure made of pink sandstone from Rajasthan.advertisementThe construction of the temple, which spans 20 acres, was undertaken by the state government at a cost of Rs 250 crore. Over 800 skilled craftsmen from Rajasthan worked on the project, bringing their expertise in temple architecture to the fore.The temple complex features a bhog mandap (a room where food for offerings is cooked), Nat mandir (dance hall) and garbhagriha (inner sanctuary), with intricate carvings and statues of deities. A 34-foot-long 18-faced Arun pillar made of black stone stands tall in front of the temple entrance, topped with an Aruna idol.The temple's design is inspired by the Puri Jagannath Temple, with similar architectural features, including the Singhadwar, Byaghradwar, Hastidwar and Ashwadwar.Ahead of the temple inauguration, Banerjee said, "We are going to inaugurate the temple on Akshaya Tritiya that is on Wednesday. The type of architecture built by the workers is wonderful. It is same as Puri Jagannath Temple. Bengal is proud. Not only Bengal, the whole world will be proud of this."Skilled artisans from Puri will perform the idol consecration ceremony and daily flag-changing rituals, following traditional practices. The temple is expected to become a major pilgrimage site and tourist attraction in the region.Banerjee personally selected the site for the temple and announced its construction in 2019. The project was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and is completed now.
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