Mamata Banerjee inaugurates Puri-like Jagannath Temple in Bengal's Digha
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday inaugurated the magnificent Jagannath Dham temple in the tourist town of Digha, a stunning replica of the iconic Jagannath Temple in Puri.The consecration ceremony was held with great grandeur, with sacred water from various pilgrimage sites brought to the temple for the rituals. Several celebrities and prominent figures from West Bengal's music and film industry, along with political leaders, were present at the event.Today, as the sacred Dhwaja rose above the Jagannath Temple in Digha, I witnessed a vision conceived in 2018 come to life.With the Maha Yajna complete, we wait with bated breath for the Lord of the Universe to grace His humble abode by the sea.May His presence usher in pic.twitter.com/XuZ30RXRwJ— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) April 29, 2025advertisementConstructed in the traditional Kalinga architectural style, the grand structure, developed by the state government at a cost of Rs 250 crore, is expected to emerge as a major centre for pilgrimage and tourism in the region.Today, the grand Shri Jagannath Temple opens its gates to the world, a divine blend of spirituality, heritage, & Bengal's cultural soul.A sacred legacy begins today, one that will inspire generations to come!#JoyJagannath pic.twitter.com/scNLWrwx5w— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) April 30, 2025
Mirroring the design of the original Jagannath Temple in Puri, the Digha Dham incorporates key architectural elements such as the Singhadwar, Byaghradwar, Hastidwar, and Ashwadwar. The temple complex also includes a dedicated shrine for Goddess Lakshmi and a separate Bhogshala for preparing sacred offerings to Lord Jagannath.Spread across 20 acres, the temple is made from exquisite pink sandstone sourced from Rajasthan, and more than 800 skilled artisans from the state contributed their craftsmanship to bring this architectural marvel to life.advertisement"The inauguration of Digha's Jagannath Temple stands as a glorious testament to Bengal's enduring devotion and rich cultural heritage. Every intricately carved stone, and every prayer that shall rise from its sanctum, will embody the deep faith, unity, and enduring spirit of our people," Banerjee said, ahead of the event.On Tuesday, the puja and Maha Yajna were held inside a temporary hut set up in front of the main temple of Lord Jagannath. A total of 57 devotees from Puri's Jagannath Temple and 17 monks from the Iskcon participated in it.By bringing a replica of the Puri Jagannath Temple to Digha, the West Bengal government aims to transform the seaside town into a major destination for visitors from both within Bengal and beyond.The West Bengal government is planning to hold an annual 'Ratha Yatra' in the seaside tourist town of Digha following the inauguration of the newly built Jagannath Temple, an official told news agency PTI.
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