Bhubaneswar, June 9: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday wrote to his West Bengal counterpart Suvendu Adhikari, requesting him to drop ‘dham’ from Digha Jagannath Dham Temple Complex, Purba Medinipur as it exclusively refers to Puri and its usage for any other temple is inappropriate.
CM Majhi emphasised that the term "Jagannath Dham" is exclusively associated with the sacred Shri Jagannath Temple in Puri, one of the revered Char Dhams of India, and its use for the Digha temple has caused concern among devotees, scholars, and socio-cultural organisations.
“I am writing to draw your kind attention to an issue that concerns the religious sentiments of millions of devotees of Mahaprabhu Shree Jagannath across Odisha and beyond. The naming of the Jagannath temple complex at Digha as "Digha Jagannath Dham" has generated considerable concern among devotees, religious scholars and various socio-cultural organisations,” Majhi wrote.
The fresh official communication came after a change of Government in West Bengal.
“As you are aware, the term "Jagannath Dham" is intrinsically associated with the sacred abode of Mahaprabhu Shree Jagannath at Puri, one of the revered Char Dhams of India. The nomenclature carries immense spiritual, historical and cultural significance and occupies a unique place in the faith and consciousness of countless devotees,” Majhi stated.
Majhi said that he was confident that his West Bengal counterpart will appreciate the concerns being expressed by devotees and stakeholders.
“I also recall your consistent understanding and support for the sentiments of the people of Odisha on matters concerning the rich heritage of Mahaprabhu Shree Jagannath. Given your deep appreciation of this issue and your present responsibility as the Chief Minister of West Bengal, I am confident that you will appreciate the concerns being expressed by devotees and stakeholders,” Majhi stated.
“In the spirit of preserving the sanctity and distinct identity associated with Shree Jagannath Dham, Puri, I would request your kind intervention to facilitate an appropriate revision of the nomenclature of the Digha temple complex by dropping the word "Dham" and adopting a suitable alternative name, such as "Shri Jagannath Temple, Digha," Majhi added.
Majhi said that such a considerate step would be widely appreciated by devotees and would further strengthen the enduring bonds of goodwill, cultural affinity and mutual respect shared between the people of Odisha and West Bengal.
In May last year, Majhi wrote to former West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee urging her Government to drop ‘dham’ from Digha Jagannath Dham Temple Complex following widespread protests and objections over the use of the term ‘dham', including appeals from Puri king Dibyasingha Deb and several prominent Hindu religious leaders seeking its withdrawal.
