Bhubaneswar/Kolkata, Jun 9:  West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday announced that the state government will withdraw the use of the word “Dham” in connection with the Jagannath Temple at Digha in Purba Medinipur district.

The decision follows a formal request from Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who emphasised that the title “Jagannath Dham” is traditionally and exclusively associated with the sacred shrine at Puri.

Odisha’s Concerns

In his letter to the West Bengal Chief Minister, CM Majhi underlined that the use of “Dham” for the Digha temple had caused unease among devotees, scholars, and socio-cultural organisations. He reiterated that Puri’s Jagannath Temple, one of the Char Dhams of India, holds unique spiritual significance and should remain the sole bearer of the title “Jagannath Dham.”

Sambit Patra as Emissary

Lok Sabha MP from Puri, Sambit Patra, met Suvendu Adhikari at Nabanna as an emissary of the Odisha Chief Minister, carrying Majhi’s letter today. Speaking to reporters, after the meeting, Patra said: “In April 2025, the then Bengal government inaugurated the Jagannath Temple in Digha, naming it ‘Jagannath Dham’. While we welcomed the promotion of Jagannath temples, we had expressed reservations about the use of the word ‘Dham’, which is inseparably linked to Puri. Today, after conveying the Odisha Chief Minister’s letter to Suvendu Adhikari, a decision has been taken to remove the word ‘Dham’. The temple will henceforth be known simply as ‘Jagannath Temple’. This decision is of immense significance for millions of Odia devotees, for Puri, for Odisha, and for followers of Sanatan Dharma across the country.”
Also Read: Digha Jagannath Temple Controversy: Not right to call this temple as 'Dham', Says Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati

Cultural Sensitivity

The move is viewed as an effort to respect Odisha’s cultural and religious sentiments while avoiding further controversy. By revising the temple’s name, West Bengal has sought to maintain harmony and acknowledge the unique devotional importance of Jagannath Dham in Puri.