Puri: Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, the King of Puri, today strongly voiced his objection to the West Bengal Government’s decision to name a Jagannath temple in Digha as “Jagannath Dham.” Asserting the unique significance of Puri as the original abode of Lord Jagannath, the King stated unequivocally that the Digha temple cannot be referred to as “Jagannath Dham.”
The King’s statement follows a consultation with the Muktimandap Pandita Sabha, the highest council of Brahmin scholars in Puri. The Sabha unanimously opined that the terms “Jagannatha Dham,” “Purushottama-Kshetra,” “Shreekshetra,” and “Neelachala Dham” are exclusively reserved for Puri, the Moola-peetha (original seat) of Shree Jagannatha Mahaprabhu. They emphasized that these sacred names cannot be applied to any other location where the Chaturdha Daru Vigrahas (the four divine idols) have been consecrated.
In a formal statement released today, King Dibyasingha Deb highlighted the authority of ancient scriptures, particularly the “Shree Purushottama-Kshetra Mahatmyam” in the “Vaishnava Khanda” of Skanda Purana, authored by Maharshi Veda Vyasa. He stated that a clear reading of this scripture leaves no doubt that only Puri holds the distinction of being “Shree Jagannatha Dham,” as it is the eternal holy abode of Lord Shree Purushottama-Jagannatha.
Quoting the scripture, the King noted, “Although this Lord Jagannatha is all-pervading and is the source of all and there are also other holy places which destroy all sins, yet this holy place is superior as it has become the Body of this Supreme Being. He Himself is present there assuming a Form and has indeed made that place known by His own Name (Purushottama).”
Furthermore, King Dibyasingha Deb pointed out that revered religious figures like Bhagavatpada Adi Shankaracharya, Shree Ramanujacharya, Shree Nimbarkacharya, Shree Madhvacharya, Shree Ramanandacharya, Shree Chaitanya, and Shree Vallabhacharya have all recognized Puri, and no other place, as Shree Jagannatha Dham.
Echoing the Muktimandap Pandita Sabha’s stance, the King reiterated that only Puri should be referred to as Jagannatha Dham, Purushottama Dham or Kshetra, Shreekshetra, or Neelachala Dham. Similarly, he emphasized that only the Moola-peetha of Mahaprabhu Shree Jagannatha in Puri can be called “Shreemandira.”
King Dibyasingha Deb urged the authorities of the Digha Jagannatha Temple to refrain from using the name “Jagannath Dham” or “Jagannath Dham Cultural Centre.” He advised all Jagannath temples worldwide to respect and uphold the glorious heritage of Lord Jagannatha, in accordance with the sacred scriptures and the age-old traditions of the Shreemandira in Puri.
“Dishonour or disrespect to time-honoured traditions and heritage of Mahaprabhu Shree Jagannatha will hurt the religious sentiments of countless devotees around the world,” the Puri King cautioned.
Following the emergence of this controversy, it has been reported that a nameplate mentioning “Jagannath Dham” at the Digha temple has been removed. However, similar references reportedly remain in other parts of the temple complex. The Puri King’s strong statement is likely to further intensify the debate surrounding the naming of the Digha temple and the unique religious significance of Puri.