'Jagannath Dham' reignites old tension between neighbours

A cultural and religious row has reignited tensions between Odisha and West Bengal after the Mamata Banerjee — led Bengal government referred to a new-ly-built Jagannath temple in Digha as Jagannath Dham.

- ARINDAM GANGULY, OP

The title, deeply revered in Odisha, is traditionally and spiritually associated with the world-famous Srimandir in Puri, which is one of the sacred Char (four) Dhams in Hinduism.

The move has sparked a political and public outcry in Odisha, with leaders, scholars, and temple authorities condemning the usage of the term. They argue that the sanctity and heritage of Jagannath Dham cannot be duplicated or casually attributed to other temples, regardless of their intent or popularity.

The controversy gathered steam on social media after Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Riju Dutta defended the nomenclature ina provocative post on X. “Much of Odisha’s economy depends on Bengali tourists. Around five lakh devotees visited Digha’s Jagannath Dham during its inauguration. It’s natural to be angry... but you shouldn’t oppose Narayan himself... Joy Jagannath,” Dutta posted, stirring further debate.

His comments drew sharp responses from Odisha politicians. BJD MP Amar Patnaik called the statement insensitive and reductive. “Temples are not tourist spots. Jagannath Dham isn’t a weekend getaway—it is a spiritual anchor for Hindus globally. Lord Jagannath belongs to all, but the sanctity of Puri’s Dham must be respected,” he asserted.