Odisha CM Majhi welcomes Bengal's move to drop 'Dham' tag from Digha Jagannath Temple
Synopsis
A simmering inter-state religious dispute has been resolved after West Bengal dropped the 'Dham' label from Digha's Jagannath Temple — a title Odisha had long argued belongs exclusively to Puri. The climbdown by CM Suvendu Adhikari, following a formal letter from Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi, marks a rare case of cultural diplomacy overriding political optics.
Key Takeaways
West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari announced the withdrawal of the 'Dham' tag from the Digha Jagannath Temple in East Midnapore on 9 June .
The complex will now be renamed 'Sri Sri Jagannath Mandir Cultural Center' .
Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi had formally written to Adhikari objecting to the designation as a cultural misrepresentation.
Majhi asserted that Puri alone holds the exclusive status of 'Jagannath Dham' under scriptural and mythological tradition.
The resolution is expected to ease tensions between Odisha and West Bengal and strengthen inter-state cultural ties.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday, 9 June welcomed West Bengal's decision to withdraw the 'Dham' designation from the Jagannath Temple in Digha, East Midnapore district, calling it a tradition-respecting step that would strengthen brotherhood between the two states. The move follows a formal objection Majhi had raised with the new West Bengal government over what he described as a cultural misrepresentation.
What Changed and Why
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the withdrawal of the 'Dham' attribution from the Digha temple complex, responding to Majhi's letter and the sentiments of crores of Odia devotees. The temple complex at Digha will henceforth be known as 'Sri Sri Jagannath Mandir Cultural Center', dropping the contested title entirely.
Majhi had written to Adhikari strongly objecting to the use of the term 'Jagannath Dham' for the Digha project, calling it a misrepresentation that ignored the eternal sanctity of Shreekhetra Puri and hurt the religious sentiments of Odias and devotees worldwide.
What Odisha CM Said
Taking to his X handle, Majhi stated that Lord Shree Jagannath is the spiritual nucleus of the entire world and the greatest symbol of cultural and spiritual identity. He asserted that, according to scriptural and mythological traditions, the sacred city of Puri alone holds the unique and unmatched status of 'Jagannath Dham' in Sanatan Dharma.
Majhi criticised the previous West Bengal government, saying its narrow political outlook and lack of understanding of Sanatan traditions led to the misuse of the term. 'I am extremely pleased that Hon'ble Chief Minister Shri Suvendu Adhikari Ji has understood the importance and sensitivity of this issue and has reversed the short-sighted policy of the previous government,' Majhi wrote in his post.
Significance for Odia Identity
The dispute over the 'Dham' label reflects a broader sensitivity around the religious and cultural primacy of Puri's Jagannath Dham, one of the four sacred dhams in Hindu tradition. Odia communities and religious organisations had long argued that extending the title to any other temple complex diminishes its singular spiritual standing.
Majhi reiterated his government's commitment to safeguarding Odia identity and preserving the glory and dignity of Lord Jagannath. On behalf of the people of Odisha, he extended appreciation to the West Bengal government for the decision.
Inter-State Implications
The resolution is being seen as a goodwill gesture between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led governments in both states. Majhi noted that the step would strengthen cultural brotherhood between Odisha and West Bengal. The renaming is expected to ease tensions that had simmered among Odia religious groups since the Digha temple's inauguration under the previous West Bengal administration.
Point of View
But it underestimated the intensity of Odia cultural ownership over the Jagannath tradition. That both states are now BJP-governed made the resolution easier, but it also raises the question of whether such disputes would find similar resolution across party lines. The real test of this goodwill is whether the renaming is accompanied by a broader understanding of Puri's singular religious standing — or whether it remains a one-off diplomatic fix.
NationPress
25 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the 'Dham' tag removed from the Digha Jagannath Temple?
West Bengal removed the 'Dham' designation from the Digha Jagannath Temple following a formal objection from Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi, who argued that the title belongs exclusively to Puri's Jagannath Dham by scriptural and mythological tradition. The previous West Bengal government's use of the term was criticised as a cultural misrepresentation that hurt the sentiments of Odia devotees worldwide.
What will the Digha Jagannath Temple complex now be called?
The complex will be renamed 'Sri Sri Jagannath Mandir Cultural Center', dropping the contested 'Dham' attribution entirely. The announcement was made by West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari.
What is the significance of 'Jagannath Dham' and why does it matter?
'Jagannath Dham' refers to the sacred temple city of Puri in Odisha, one of the four revered dhams in Hindu tradition. Odia communities and religious groups argue that extending the title to any other temple diminishes its singular spiritual and cultural standing, which is rooted in centuries of scripture and tradition.
Who raised the objection against the Digha temple's 'Dham' title?
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi formally wrote to West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari objecting to the use of 'Jagannath Dham' for the Digha project. Majhi described it as a misrepresentation that ignored the sanctity of Shreekhetra Puri.
How does this decision affect relations between Odisha and West Bengal?
Odisha CM Majhi said the decision would strengthen cultural brotherhood between the two states. The resolution, reached between the BJP-led governments of both states, is seen as a goodwill gesture that eases tensions that had built among Odia religious groups since the Digha temple's inauguration under the previous West Bengal administration.
