Why is the West Bengal Government in Hot Water Over Lord Jagannath's Name?

The recent inauguration of a Jagannath Temple in Digha by the West Bengal government has ignited a significant controversy. Swami Nischalananda Saraswati, the Shankaracharya of Govardhan Peeth, has accused the government of exploiting Lord Jagannath's name for commercial purposes. He argues that the title 'Dham' should be reserved for Puri, where the economy thrives on Bengali pilgrims. This move has drawn sharp criticism from various leaders and temple servitors, raising questions about the spiritual significance of such designations. Read on to explore the unfolding drama and its implications.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 26, 2025, 20:28 IST

Controversy Surrounds the Naming of Digha Temple

Puri: The Shankaracharya of Govardhan Peeth, Swami Nischalananda Saraswati, has accused the West Bengal government of exploiting the name of Lord Jagannath for financial gain instead of genuine religious reverence.

During a press briefing, he stated, "The West Bengal administration is leveraging Lord Jagannath's name for commercial interests. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee lacks the necessary religious sentiment to label the Digha temple as 'Jagannath Dham.'"

The 81-year-old seer emphasized that Puri's economy heavily relies on pilgrims from West Bengal.

"Mamata Banerjee is aware that Puri flourishes due to the influx of Bengali devotees. Local service providers, hotels, and merchants all benefit from this," he remarked.

"To divert revenue from Bengal to Odisha, she has built a Jagannath Temple in Digha and labeled it as 'Dham.' This usage of the 'Dham' title is unacceptable," he added, suggesting that she believes Bengali pilgrims will now choose to spend their money in Digha.

When asked about ISKCON, he criticized the organization for holding various rituals and festivals related to Lord Jagannath, including Rath Yatra, on dates that do not align with traditional scriptures.

"ISKCON must cease these practices," he insisted.

The West Bengal government had inaugurated the Jagannath Temple in Digha on April 30, which sparked significant controversy due to its naming as 'Jagannath Dham.'

This decision has faced backlash from Puri's Gajapati Maharaja Divyasingha Deb, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, and the servitors of the Jagannath Temple, who argue that the title 'Dham' should be reserved for Puri based on tradition and spirituality.