12th Century Shrine, An Ancient Label: Row Erupts Over ‘Jagannath Dham’ Tag

New Delhi:

The inauguration of a brand new Jagannath temple in Digha has turn out to be the centre of an argument between japanese neighbours Odisha and West Bengal. On the core of the dispute is the West Bengal authorities’s reference to the temple as “Jagannath Dham,” a time period traditionally and scripturally reserved for the Twelfth-century Puri temple, thought of one of many 4 main pilgrimage websites of Hinduism.

The naming has been met with robust objections from non secular students, monks and servitors in Odisha, who argue that the usage of the title “Dham” implies a standing and sanctity that may neither be replicated nor claimed with out distorting centuries of custom.

Constructed over an space of twenty-two acres and at an estimated value of Rs 250 crore, the Digha temple is being projected as each a spiritual and vacationer vacation spot. Slogans corresponding to “No must go to Puri to see Jagannath Dham and the ocean” have additionally surfaced, triggering sharp responses. 

Historic Title Sparks Trendy Dispute

The time period “Dham” just isn’t a mere honorific in Hindu theology. Historically, it refers to sacred websites related to Hinduism. Adi Shankaracharya, the Eighth-century thinker and theologian designated Puri as one of many 4 “Dhams” of India, with the others being Badrinath, Dwarka, and Rameswaram. These will not be interchangeable labels.

Sudarsan Pattnaik, the internationally acclaimed sand artist and a Padma Shri awardee from Odisha, in a letter addressed to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, expressed concern that calling the Digha temple a “Jagannath Dham” would mislead devotees and disrespect the distinctive identification of the Puri shrine.

“This assertion has deeply damage the non secular sentiments of tens of millions of Jagannath devotees worldwide,” Mr Pattnaik wrote. “In accordance with our sacred scriptures, there exists just one Jagannath Dham, which is positioned in Puri. Associating some other temple with the title could result in confusion and contradict long-standing religious and Hindu cultural traditions.”

The artist has urged the Odisha authorities to interact with its West Bengal counterpart to make clear the matter and, if crucial, search rectification. Copies of the letter have additionally been despatched to Odisha’s Legislation Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan.

The official promotional supplies issued by the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal authorities have additional fanned the flames. One such commercial included a picture carefully resembling the ‘Neelachakra’ with ‘Bana’, an emblem that has lengthy been related completely with the Puri temple.

Critics argue that this transfer factors to appropriation by the Bengal authorities that blurs the distinctions between the 2 websites.

Political Undercurrents 

Chief of Opposition in West Bengal and senior BJP chief Suvendu Adhikari has issued an open letter to West Bengal Chief Secretary HK Dwivedi, demanding readability on whether or not the brand new construction is a temple or a cultural centre. Mr Adhikari cited tender paperwork from the West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Growth Company (HIDCO), which describe the location as “Jagannath Dham Sanskriti Kendra,” not a temple.

“If it is a cultural centre, why is the general public being invited to a temple inauguration?” he requested. “The invitation card should clearly state what’s being inaugurated, a temple or a centre.”

In a earlier assertion in late 2023, Mr Adhikari additionally questioned the legality of utilizing public funds for non secular infrastructure, citing the constitutional separation of faith and state. He pointed to the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, constructed totally by way of public donations below an impartial belief.

Political commentators have additionally identified that the choice to inaugurate such a outstanding temple in a location like Digha, only a few hours from Kolkata, just isn’t solely religiously motivated however carries political implications. With meeting elections in West Bengal approaching, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) is eager to broaden its enchantment amongst Hindu voters, given fixed allegations by the BJP that Ms Banerjee’s occasion engages in appeasement politics.