In recent weeks, a series of misinformed claims and political posturing surrounding the newly inaugurated Digha Jagannath Temple in West Bengal has drawn unnecessary controversy—one that has hurt the religious sentiments of millions of Jagannath devotees, especially in Odisha. While the state government of Odisha has responded with restraint and facts, West Bengal’s Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has chosen to politicize and distort the narrative. It is time to set the record straight.
The Core Issue: Not About Wood, But About Sanctity
This is not a petty dispute about timber. This is about ritual sanctity, religious protocol, and the misuse of deeply revered traditions. The controversy began after senior Puri servitor Ramkrushna Dasmohapatra supervised the consecration of idols at the Digha temple and ambiguously referenced “baluka daru”—sacred neem wood used during the 2015 Nabakalebara of Lord Jagannath in Puri. This created the public impression that leftover sacred wood from Puri had been diverted for use in Bengal.
The uproar was immediate—and rightfully so. Such wood, once part of a sacred ritual in the Lord’s rebirth, is never to be commercialized, gifted, or reused. It is either respectfully preserved by the temple administration or immersed as per tradition.
Minister Prithviraj Harichandan’s Clear and Culturally Grounded Response
Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan acted swiftly and responsibly. After ordering a probe, he publicly clarified that no sacred wood from the Puri Jagannath Temple was used in the Digha shrine, and the idols there were made in Bhubaneswar using regular neem wood. Furthermore, he strongly objected to West Bengal’s misuse of the term “Jagannath Dham” for the Digha temple.
His position is rooted in scriptural authority and spiritual discipline. There are only four Dhams in the Hindu faith—Badrinath, Dwarka, Rameswaram, and Jagannath Puri. Using “Dham” for any other location is not just incorrect—it is a deliberate undermining of established Hindu theology.
Mamata Banerjee’s Flawed Arguments and Misplaced Aggression
In response, Mamata Banerjee launched a tirade filled with inaccuracies and melodrama. She claimed she had “neem trees at home” and that “Mamata Banerjee does not steal”. She went on to accuse Odisha of “jealousy” and “attacks on Bengalis” without offering a single verifiable incident to support her inflammatory rhetoric.
What Mamata Banerjee fails to understand—or conveniently chooses to ignore—is that the Jagannath tradition is not a regional hobby; it is a spiritual civilization. There are centuries of rituals, restrictions, and cultural roles associated with Lord Jagannath’s worship that cannot be replicated at will by another government seeking political mileage or cultural symbolism.
Her attempt to present Digha as an equal religious destination is a deliberate counter-narrative aimed at drawing pilgrimage traffic and soft power—without the sanctity, traditions, or spiritual authority that Puri holds.
Why Odisha’s Stand Matters for All Hindus
This is not just about Odisha. If sacred traditions can be replicated loosely, if terms like “Dham” can be used at convenience, then every spiritual center in India stands at risk of being diluted by political convenience. The Odisha government’s response is not parochial—it is principled.
Minister Harichandan has shown maturity, knowledge, and courage. Instead of mudslinging, he relied on scriptures and tradition. He has also announced that Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) will be issued for all Jagannath temples outside Puri to prevent misuse of servitor roles and ritual rights.
The Way Forward: Not Political Imitation, But Respectful Devotion
West Bengal’s government is free to build temples and promote spiritual tourism. But that must be done within the boundaries of ritual propriety and respect for established institutions. Digha can be a place of worship—but it is not Jagannath Dham, nor can it claim equivalence with Puri.
It is unfortunate that the West Bengal Chief Minister is using religious symbolism to stir regional pride while attacking a neighboring state that has shown nothing but restraint and dignity.
Let there be no confusion: Lord Jagannath belongs to the world, but His home is Puri. His rituals are sacred, not to be mimicked. His name is eternal, not to be politicized.