BJP Leader Criticizes Use of Sacred Wood for Digha Temple Carvings

Controversy Surrounds Digha's Jagannath Temple

Kolkata: BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari has raised concerns regarding the use of leftover timber from Puri’s Jagannath Temple for crafting deities at the newly established Jagannath Temple in Digha, located in the East Midnapore district of West Bengal. He described this practice as a violation of ethical and moral standards.

In a statement shared on his official X account, Adhikari criticized the involvement of servitors and the unauthorized utilization of surplus sacred wood, which is traditionally reserved for the Nabakalebara rituals, asserting that it undermines the integrity of Jagannath culture and its long-standing traditions.

He expressed support for the Odisha government's decision to investigate the matter, commending Minister Prithviraj Harichandan for initiating a thorough inquiry into the alleged misconduct of individuals linked to the Puri temple.

Adhikari accused the West Bengal government, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, of employing deceptive tactics by labeling the Digha structure as the 'Jagannath Dham Cultural Centre' in official documents while simultaneously promoting it as a 'Jagannath Temple.'

He argued that this was a deliberate attempt to mislead devotees and exploit their faith.

Legal experts suggest that the designation of the Digha structure as a 'Cultural Centre' was a strategic move to avoid controversies related to the use of public funds for constructing a religious site.

As the Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Adhikari emphasized the need to address the issues surrounding the naming of the site, noting that the term 'Dham' carries significant religious and historical weight.

According to Hindu beliefs, only a few temples, including those at Badrinath, Rameswaram, Dwarka, and Puri, can be classified as 'Dhams.'

Adhikari insisted that the controversy over naming the new site as a 'Dham' must be resolved, and the West Bengal government's duplicity should be exposed.

He highlighted that while there are numerous Lord Jagannath temples worldwide, none are designated as 'Dhams.'

He concluded by stating that replicating the Puri Jagannath Shree Mandir and presenting it as a 'Jagannath Dham' to rival Puri's significance is highly inappropriate. The actions of Daitapati Nijog Secretary Ramakrushna Dasmohapatra and Radharaman Das, also known as Rahul Yadav, should be scrutinized, as their involvement has disrespected Jagannath culture and eroded the trust of devotees.