Context: Servitors of the Jagannath Temple in Puri have warned members of their community against participating in any rituals that are held at the Digh temple, West Bengal, a new replica of the 12th century shrine.
Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about Digha Temple; Lord Jagannath Temple.
Digha Temple, West Bengal
- Recently consecrated in April 2025.
- Location: Purba Medinipur district, West Bengal, about 350 km from Puri, Odisha.
- Dedicated to: Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Goddess Subhadra and Goddess Mahalaxmi.
- The 213 foot high temple is a replica of the world famous Puri Temple.
- Built in sandstone in the Kalingan architectural style.
- Non-Hindus and foreigners would be allowed to enter the Digha shrine – a break from the centuries-old practice of allowing only Hindus in Puri.
Controversy associated with Digha Temple:
- Use of the word ‘Dham’ (seat) and a picture of the Nilachakra (metal wheel atop the Puri Temple) for the Digha temple have been questioned. There are only four dham in Hinduism – Badrinath, Dwarka, Puri and Rameswaram.
- Stone Idols: The idols at the Digha temple are made of stone, which cannot be the case with Lord Jagannath. Lord Jagannath is Daru (wood) Brahma, and he is never made of stone. The idols in Puri are made of neem wood.
- Replica of Puri Temple: Performing the same rituals in Digha – and at other Jagannath temples in the country – would dilute the significance of the Puri Temple. The temple could emerge as a competitor to Puri for Bengali tourists and devotees.
About Jagannath temple
- Ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Jagannath, a form of Vishnu.
- The present temple was rebuilt by the king of the Eastern Ganga dynasty, Anantavarman Chodaganga, in the 10th century CE.
- Location: Puri, Odisha (eastern coast of India).
- Deities worshipped: Jagannath, Subhadra and Balabhadra
- The idol of Lord Jagannath is made of wood (neem wood, known as Daru) and is ceremoniously replaced every 12 or 19 years by an exact replica.
- The temple is built in the Kalinga Architecture. The temple has distinct sectional structures: Deula, Vimana or Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum).
- Ratha Yatra or chariot festival is a magnificent Hindu celebration held annually in the city of Puri, Odisha, India. During the Ratha Yatra, the three deities are ceremoniously pulled in massive wooden chariots from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple.
Also Read: Jagannath Temple Corridor