'Dham' tag to be removed from Digha Jagannath temple, Odisha CM thanks Suvendu
National 10 Jun, 2026

'Dham' tag to be removed from Digha Jagannath temple, Odisha CM thanks Suvendu

Business To Business, Kolkata, 10th June, 2026:  Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday announced that the state government will remove the term "Dham" from the name of the state-funded Jagannath temple and cultural complex in Digha.
The complex, inaugurated by former chief minister Mamata Banerjee in April last year, will now be known as the Sri Sri Jagannath Cultural Centre.
New Name and Religious Practices
Adhikari said that:

  • The word "Dham" will no longer be used in the official name of the premises.
  • The complex will function as the Sri Sri Jagannath Cultural Centre.
  • Worship of Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra will be conducted according to prescribed religious norms and rituals.
The use of the term "Dham" for the Digha complex had generated debate because in Hindu tradition the title is closely associated with major pilgrimage sites, particularly Jagannath Temple, Puri, one of the four revered Char Dham pilgrimage destinations.
Critics had argued that the designation could create confusion regarding the religious status of the Digha temple.
The renaming reflects an effort by the state government to distinguish the Digha complex as a cultural and religious centre without using terminology that some religious groups and scholars reserve for historically established pilgrimage sites.
The announcement also emphasizes that rituals at the temple will be carried out in accordance with traditional practices associated with the worship of Lord Jagannath and the accompanying deities.
The decision is likely to be viewed in the broader context of discussions surrounding religious heritage, temple administration, and the cultural significance of Jagannath worship in eastern India.

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