image credits: yatra dham
Puri Jagannath Dham is home to the iconic Shree Jagannath Temple, dedicated to Lord Jagannath, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This 12th-century shrine is one of Hinduism’s four Char Dham pilgrimage sites. The temple, enshrining Lord Jagannath alongside Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, is one of Odisha’s identities. Its exclusivity as the only Jagannath Dham, as affirmed by sacred texts like the Skanda Purana and Brahma Purana, supports Puri’s unique role in preserving the divine legacy of Lord Jagannath.
Historical Roots of the Shree Jagannath Temple
The Shree Jagannath Temple’s history dates to the 12th century, constructed under King Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva of the Eastern Ganga dynasty. Temple records, including the Madala Panji. The temple’s wooden deities, crafted from sacred neem wood and renewed through the Nabakalebara ritual every 12 to 19 years, embody a divine essence unique to Puri. Unlike other Vishnu temples, the worship here blends Vedic, Tantric, and tribal traditions, with rituals like the Rath Yatra and Mahaprasad offerings. No other temple is scripturally or traditionally recognized as a Jagannath Dham.
The Digha Temple Controversy
In April 2025, the inauguration of a new Jagannath temple in Digha, West Bengal, sparked significant controversy. Built by the West Bengal government for Rs 250 crore on a 24-acre plot, the Digha temple is a replica of Puri’s Shree Jagannath Temple, designed in the Kalingan architectural style. The West Bengal government’s decision to label it “Jagannath Dham” and use promotional slogans like “No need to go to Puri to see Jagannath Dham” triggered widespread objections in Odisha. Devotees, servitors, and scholars argued that the term “Dham” is exclusively reserved for Puri, one of the four Char Dham sites designated by Adi Shankaracharya, alongside Badrinath, Dwarka, and Rameswaram.
The controversy intensified over claims that sacred neem wood (Daru) from Puri’s 2015 Nabakalebara ritual was used for Digha’s idols. A senior Puri servitor, Ramakrushna Dasmohapatra, initially reported to Bengali media that surplus Daru was used, but later clarified that regular neem wood was sourced after he advised against using stone idols, as Lord Jagannath is traditionally worshipped in wooden form. He denied any use of Puri’s sacred Daru or the installation of Brahma (the sacred life force) in Digha’s idols, emphasizing that such practices are exclusive to Puri. Odisha’s Law Minister, Prithiviraj Harichandan, ordered an inquiry by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) to investigate these claims and the use of the “Jagannath Dham” title.
Puri’s Servitors and Devotees Defend Sanctity
Puri’s servitor groups, including the Suar Mahasuar and Puspalaka Nijogs, issued notices prohibiting members from participating in Digha’s rituals, warning of expulsion to preserve Puri’s sanctity. They argued that replicating Puri’s rituals, such as selling prasad as Mahaprasad, undermines the original shrine’s spiritual significance. Prominent figures like sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik demanded that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee apologize for labeling Digha as a “Dham,” stating that it contradicts sacred scriptures and hurts devotees worldwide. BJP MP Sambit Patra and Deputy CM K.V. Singh Deo reiterated that Puri is the only Jagannath Dham, urging the removal of the title from Digha’s temple.
