Puri: Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, the revered King of Puri and Chairman of the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee, has formally written to the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) expressing his strong objection to the naming of the newly inaugurated Jagannath Temple in Digha, West Bengal, as “Shree Jagannath Dham.”
In his letter, the Gajapati Maharaja voiced his opposition to the use of “Shree Jagannath Dham” or “Shree Jagannath Dham Cultural Centre” for the Digha temple. His concern stems from reports that representatives of ISKCON have been appointed as trustees on the board managing the Digha Jagannath Temple and that ISKCON is also overseeing the temple’s rituals and worship.
The Puri King’s stance is strongly supported by the pronouncements of two prominent Shankaracharyas. He highlighted that Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati Maharaj of Goverdhan Peeth (Puri) and Param Pujyapad Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwarananda Saraswati Maharaj of Jyotish Peeth (Joshimath) have unequivocally stated that only Purushottama-Kshetra Puri holds the sacred designation of “Jagannath-Dham,” and no other temple or location should be referred to by this name.
“As you are well aware, the Most Revered Shankaracharyas are the highest religious authorities in Sanatana Vaidika Dharma,” the Gajapati Maharaja emphasized in his letter. He further pointed out that the Param Pujyapad Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Goverdhan Peeth holds the position of “Adi Guru” and “Parama Guru” within the tradition and culture of Lord Jagannath.
Adding weight to the objection, the Muktimandapa Pandita Sabha, the esteemed assembly of scholars within the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, has also declared, citing relevant scriptures, that the Shree Jagannath Temple at Digha cannot be named “Jagannath Dham.”
The Muktimundupa clarified that terms such as “Shree Jagannath Dham,” “Shree Purushottama Dham or Kshetra,” “Shreekshetra,” and “Shree Neelachala Dham” exclusively refer to the original seat (Moola-peetha) of Lord Jagannath in Puri and are not applicable to any other temple or place, regardless of the proper consecration and worship of Lord Jagannath therein.
Furthermore, the Pandita Sabha asserted key distinctions unique to the Puri Jagannath Temple:
- Only the Temple of Lord Jagannath at Puri is known as “Shreemandira.”
- Only the offerings (Naivedya) made to the Lord in this Moola-peetha are considered “Mahaprasad.”
- The “Chaturdha Daru Vigrahas” (the four main deities) should be worshipped in their traditional wooden (“Daru”) forms, not in metal or stone. The Muktimandapa Pandita Sabha, presided over by the Param Pujyapad Shankaracharya of Goverdhan Peeth, stands as the highest religious body in the tradition and culture of Lord Jagannath.
Taking a strong stance on the issue, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has also intervened, writing a formal letter yesterday to his West Bengal counterpart. In his communication, Chief Minister Shri Majhi requested the West Bengal government to “reconsider the usage of the name ‘Jagannath Dham’ in relation to the Jagannath Temple at Digha and refrain from using the term ‘Jagannath Dham’ in its official naming, communication and promotional materials.”
In his letter to ISKCON, the Gajapati Maharaja appealed, “In view of the above and having regard to participation of ISKCON representatives in the Trust Board of Digha Jagannatha Temple, I request you to use your good offices to convince the Digha Temple Trust Board to desist from using the word ‘Dham’ with reference to Shree Jagannatha Temple at Digha.”
He reiterated that naming the Digha Temple as “Jagannatha Dham” or “Jagannath Dham Cultural Centre” constitutes a violation of scriptural injunctions and the long-established traditions of Lord Jagannath, thereby hurting the religious sentiments of countless devotees worldwide.
While acknowledging the widespread worship of the “Chaturdha Daru Vigrahas” in numerous temples across India and abroad as a positive dissemination of Lord Jagannath’s glory, the Gajapati Maharaja stressed the importance of ensuring that such propagation aligns with and does not contradict or belittle the ancient and revered heritage of the Moola-peetha at Shree Jagannath Dham Puri. This development highlights the deep sensitivity surrounding the nomenclature associated with the sacred abode of Lord Jagannath in Puri.