The West Bengal government has declared that the newly constructed Jagannath Temple in Digha would no longer use the title "Dham," putting an end to a dispute that has been going on since the temple's opening in April 2025.
Following Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi's formal objection to the term's use and his letter to the West Bengal government via Puri MP Sambit Patra, the decision was made. Suvendu Adhikari, a minister from West Bengal, received the letter.
The main point of contention was the Digha shrine's name, "Jagannath Dham," which many political and religious authorities contended should only be connected to the ancient Jagannath Temple in Puri.

What Was Said by the Government of West Bengal?
Suvendu Adhikari announced the decision, stating that prayer and temple activities would continue as usual but the word "Dham" would no longer be used.
"This letter is accepted by me. I talked about the Digha temple when I was at ISKCON. To be clear, it was authorised as a cultural center by the government at the time. The word "Dham" will be eliminated. Worship will go on, and the cultural center complex will stay. The word "Dham" will no longer be used, but the entire complex will serve as a temple. He added, "I also thought that the previous administration had ignored people's feelings.The announcement indicates that the temple's official name would be changed to meet concerns expressed by devotees and religious stakeholders, even if its religious functions will not change.
Why Was "Jagannath Dham" a Controversial Name?
The dispute arose from the notion that the word "Dham" has profound religious meaning and is customarily connected to the centuries-old Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha.
A number of spiritual authorities and political figures from the BJP and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) contended that giving the Digha temple the same name could lessen the special religious standing of Puri's Jagannath shrine.Although new Jagannath temples can be built all throughout India, critics argued that the term "Jagannath Dham" has traditionally referred to the sacred pilgrimage site in Puri.
What Were Leaders of Odisha Saying?
Puri MP Sambit Patra reaffirmed that Odisha's objection was to the use of the term "Dham," not to the building of a Jagannath temple outside the state.
"You know that in April 2025, the then-Bengal government built and opened a Jagannath Temple in Digha under the name 'Jagannath Dham'. We don't mind if Jagannath temples are promoted or expanded."Our Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and all of us criticised the use of the name 'Dham,' even at that time," he stated."As an ambassador, I came to Nabanna today with a letter from the Chief Minister. After I gave Suvendu Adhikari the Chief Minister's letter, it was decided today to omit the word "Dham." "Jagannath Temple" will be the name given to it. This is important for the crores of Odia people, Puri, Odisha, and the adherents of Sanatan Dharma throughout India, thus I would want to thank Chief Minister Suvendu ji," he said.
The Digha Jagannath Temple: What Is It?
On April 30, 2025, Mamata Banerjee opened the Jagannath Temple in Digha.The temple, which spans 20 acres and was constructed for over Rs 250 crore, was modelled after the Jagannath Temple in Puri from the 12th century and is home to the same deities who were worshipped there.
However, the temple's branding as "Jagannath Dham" has garnered controversy since its opening, sparking a protracted dispute between government figures from West Bengal and Odisha and religious organisations.
What Takes Place Next?
The temple is anticipated to be formally referred to as the Jagannath Temple, Digha, following the decision to eliminate the prefix "Dham." The action is expected to reduce tensions related to the matter while preserving the temple's status as a significant religious and cultural hub on the coast of West Bengal.