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NDTV
06-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Use Of 'Dham' In Bengal Jagannath Temple's Name Triggers Mamata-BJP Clash
Kolkata: Servitors of the Puri Jagannath temple are protesting the use of 'dham in the name of a newly-inaugurated Jagannath temple in West Bengal's Digha, apart from replicating rituals. Servitors' groups like the Suar Mahasuar Nijog (which prepares the bhog) and the Puspalaka Nijog (which dresses the deities) have asked their members not to participate in rituals at the temple in Digha. Daitapati Bhabani, part of the group of servitors considered bodyguards of Lord Jagannath, told NDTV, "If we talk about Dham, there are four dhams - Badrinath, Dwarka, Rameshwaram and Puri Jagannath. There is no other dham apart from this. What is there in Digha is a Jagannath temple. We want Mahaprabhu Jagannath to reside across the world in every home and promoting his name is our responsibility. But the use of dham is not right." Puri is also the seat of the Govardhana Matha, one of the four cardinal mathas created by Adi Shankaracharya. The 'pran pratishtha' or consecration ceremony of the temple in Digha was held on the auspicious occasion of Akshay Tritiya on April 30 and it was attended by a senior servitor or daitapati of the Puri temple Ramakrishna Das Mohapatra. The new temple at Digha has been built at a cost of Rs 250 crore. Reacting to the controversy, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she respects both the temples. "I have heard that the Daitapati has been questioned for coming to conduct the puja here. They have issued a notification asking them not to come to Jagannath Dham (in West Bengal). Why are they so irked? We all go to Puri. We never question. When I go to Puri, the BJP protests. Why so much jealousy over the Jagannath Dham? When you fall short of potatoes, Bengal supplies. I love Odisha." The BJP, which has been targeting the Trinamool Congress on the issue, said the state government was forced to remove the misleading 'Dham' signage in Digha, calling it a "significant victory for Hindu unity". "After strong protests from devotees of Lord Jagannath, the West Bengal government was forced to quietly remove the misleading 'Dham' signage in Digha. This is a significant victory for Hindu unity and a setback to Mamata Banerjee's divisive agenda. When Hindus stand united, no political manipulation can succeed. Jai Jagannath!" BJP's IT Cell Chief and West Bengal Co-in Charge Amit Malviya said. The West Bengal Police said the BJP's claim is blatantly false. In a post on X, the police said, "Rumours are being spread from certain corners that under pressure from various groups, Government of West Bengal has removed different signage's of Shri Digha Jagannath Dham." "We would request devotees to not get misled by false propaganda by people of vested interests. Strict legal action will be taken against rumour mongers and fake news peddlers," the police added.
News18
22-04-2025
- Politics
- News18
Row Over Inauguration Of Jagannath Temple In Bengal's Digha As Puri Servitors Decline Mamata's Invite
The Puri servitors raised concerns regarding the inauguration of the newly constructed Jagannath Temple in Digha, stating that the sanctity of the Puri Jagannath temple must be preserved. Controversy has erupted over the inauguration ceremony and rituals of the newly constructed Jagannath Temple in Digha, West Bengal. Puri Jagannath temple servitors, researchers, and intellectuals have raised concerns regarding the Digha Jagannath temple. The inaugural ceremony of the Digha Jagannath temple, modelled after the renowned Jagannath Temple in Odisha's Puri, is scheduled to take place in Digha on April 30, on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has extended an invitation to Puri servitors to attend the ceremony and has also invited Chunara sevayat to tie the flag on the temple. However, the Niyog has declined the invitation and imposed restrictions on its members, warning that any member who participates in the flag-tying rituals in Digha will be banned from service. Moreover, the Mahasuar Nijog has announced plans to protest if the prasad is sold under the name of Mahaprasad. Several questions have been raised about the newly constructed Jagannath temple in Digha. Puri Servitors Raise Concerns The Puri servitors raised concerns regarding the inauguration of the newly constructed Jagannath Temple in Digha, stating that the sanctity of the Puri Jagannath temple must be preserved. The Shrimandir is irreplaceable, and no other temple dedicated to Lord Jagannath around the world can claim to be an alternative to the Shrimandir. Hence, the inaugural ceremony in Digha cannot replicate the rituals performed at the Puri Jagannath temple. The temple in Digha should worship Lord Jagannath like other temples, where devotees receive darshan without the commercialisation of Mahaprasad, the servitors stated. Selling Prasad under the name of Mahaprasad would diminish its sanctity, they noted. Further, they demanded that the West Bengal government should restrict the entry of Muslims into the temple, allowing access only to Hindus to preserve its sanctity. Otherwise, the temple may lose its religious significance and become akin to a museum. First Published: April 22, 2025, 13:49 IST
