Bhubaneswar (Newshub Webdesk): Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has expressed deep concerns over the naming of the newly established Jagannath Temple in Digha, West Bengal, as “Jagannath Dham.”
In an official letter to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Majhi urged the state government to reconsider the title, emphasizing that “Jagannath Dham” is historically and spiritually associated with the revered temple in Puri, Odisha.
The Jagannath Temple in Puri is one of the most significant spiritual landmarks in India, drawing millions of devotees annually. Odisha’s leadership believes that assigning the same title to the Digha temple may lead to confusion and dilute the unique identity of Puri’s sacred shrine.
This development has stirred conversations about cultural heritage and religious sentiment, with several Odisha-based organizations supporting the Chief Minister’s stance.
Analysts suggest that the matter could escalate into a broader inter-state dialogue, influencing decisions on temple nomenclature and historical identity preservation.
While the West Bengal government has yet to respond to the appeal, the issue has gained considerable attention on social media, with supporters of Odisha’s perspective calling for a clear distinction between the two temple identities.
Whether West Bengal will heed Odisha’s concerns remains to be seen, but this debate underscores the deep-rooted significance of religious landmarks in India.
