The Odisha government has expressed strong disapproval surrounding the Digha temple

The Odisha government is making its position clear regarding the recent opening of a Jagannath temple in Digha, West Bengal, calling for a detailed investigation into several controversial aspects surrounding the new shrine. Odisha's Law Minister, Prithiviraj Harichandan, described the situation as "totally unacceptable" and has officially asked the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) in Puri to initiate an internal inquiry.

The controversy began when the West Bengal government referred to the newly constructed Digha temple as 'Jagannath Dham.' There are also claims that wood from the surplus stock of the Puri shrine, particularly from the 2015 'Nabakalebara' (a ritual renewal of the deities' wooden forms), was used to create the idols. Additionally, the involvement of some Puri servitors in the consecration ceremony of the Digha temple has sparked further criticism.

In a letter to the SJTA's Chief Administrator, Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Minister Harichandan conveyed the deep distress and hurt feelings of devotees and the 4.5 crore residents of Odisha due to the "conflicting information over Jagannath culture." He urged the SJTA to carry out a thorough investigation to uncover the facts and share the truth with the public.

"The discussions about naming a temple in Digha as 'Jagannath Dham,' the participation of certain Puri servitors in the temple's opening ceremony, and the alleged use of leftover wood from Puri's Nabakalebara festival for the idols are completely unacceptable," the minister wrote in his letter. He also stressed that if anyone is found responsible for deliberately causing this situation, the SJTA should take appropriate action with the state government's approval.