The newly inaugurated Jagannath Temple in Digha, located in the East Midnapore district of West Bengal, has become a focal point for political and religious controversy. This temple, a replica of the iconic Jagannath Temple in Puri, has sparked a series of disputes involving political figures, religious groups, and local communities. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee recently inaugurated the temple, which has been constructed with an investment of nearly Rs 250 crore on a 24-acre plot.

The Digha temple is an architectural marvel, built using Bansi Paharpur pink sandstone, with its design inspired by the 12th-century Jagannath Temple in Puri. The temple is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Goddess Subhadra, and Goddess Mahalaxmi, and it houses several components like the Vimana (sanctum sanctorum), Jagamohan (assembly hall), Nat Mandir (dancing hall), and Bhog Mandap (offering hall).

Despite the grandeur of the project, the temple has stirred a controversy with Puri Jagannath servitors. The servitors, the traditional caretakers of the Puri temple, have raised strong objections to the Digha temple. They argue that the sanctity of the Puri Jagannath Temple must be maintained, and no other temple can serve as a substitute to the Shrimandir in Puri. Some servitors even went as far as to warn their members against participating in the temple rituals in Digha, stating that any involvement would lead to a ban from serving at the Puri temple.

One of the key concerns raised by these servitors is the construction of the Digha temple using stone idols for the deities, unlike the wooden idols used at the Puri temple. The Puri servitors believe that only wooden idols, particularly made of neem wood, are suitable for worship at the Jagannath Temple. Additionally, the temple's use of the term "Dham" in its advertisements has also caused friction, as Dham is traditionally reserved for four holy places in Hinduism: Badrinath, Dwarka, Puri, and Rameswaram. The servitors argue that referring to the Digha temple as a Dham is a misrepresentation of its spiritual significance.

Political Reactions and Allegations
The controversy has not just been confined to religious circles. BJP and Congress leaders have seized the opportunity to attack Mamata Banerjee and her government. The opposition parties accuse Mamata of using the inauguration of the temple as a political tool to gain favor with the Hindu community in preparation for the upcoming 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari criticized Mamata for trying to pass off a cultural centre as a temple, claiming that people were allowed to eat fish and meat and walk around in shoes on the premises. Adhikari also called Mamata a "fake Hindu", citing her participation in Eid Namaz at Kolkata's Red Road. The Congress echoed similar sentiments, with Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, former state president, questioning Mamata’s Hindu credentials and accusing her of trivializing Hindu sentiments.

Controversy Over Religious Inclusivity
Another point of contention is the religious inclusivity of the Digha temple. While traditionally, only Hindus are allowed to enter the Puri Jagannath Temple, the Digha temple has been designed to allow entry for non-Hindus and foreigners, breaking the norm set by Puri. This has further fueled the controversy, with some servitors arguing that such inclusivity could undermine the temple's sanctity. However, Radharaman Das, vice president of ISKCON, clarified that non-Hindus would be allowed in the Digha temple, which he sees as a progressive step.

Concerns About Footfall and Tourism
The tourism impact of the new temple is also a point of concern. West Bengal is a major source of visitors to Odisha, with a significant number of Bengali tourists visiting Puri each year. The introduction of the Digha temple could potentially reduce the tourism footfall to Odisha’s Jagannath Temple, which historically attracts millions of devotees from Bengal. However, the West Bengal government has touted the temple as a spiritual and tourism asset for the state, aiming to attract visitors and elevate the region's religious significance.

In conclusion, while the Digha Jagannath Temple is a significant religious and architectural project, its inauguration has opened a Pandora's box of controversies, from political attacks to religious concerns. Whether this temple can coexist peacefully with the Puri Jagannath Temple remains to be seen, and it is certain that this debate will continue to evolve in the lead-up to the 2026 elections.

The Upcoming IPOs in this week and coming weeks are Srigee DLM, Manoj Jewellers.

The Current active IPO are Wagons Learning, Kenrik Industries, Arunaya Organics.

Start your Stock Market Journey and Apply in IPO by Opening Free Demat Account in Choice Broking FinX.

Join our Trading with CA Abhay Telegram Channel for regular Stock Market Trading and Investment Calls by CA Abhay Varn - SEBI Registered Research Analyst.