West Bengal government removes ‘Dham’ tag from Digha temple name.
Bengal government to remove ‘Dham’ tag from name of Digha temple The West Bengal government has announced plans to remove the ‘Dham’ tag from the name of the Digha temple in Malda district. This decision comes as a result of objections raised by leaders of the BJP and religious authorities from Puri over the name of the temple. The temple was inaugurated by the previous Trinamool Congress government in 2025..
At the time, the name given to the temple was ‘Jagannath Dham’, a reference to the legendary temple of Puri in Orissa. The move was seen as an attempt to link the new temple with the famous Jagannath Temple in Puri. BJP leaders and religious authorities from Puri had objected to the temple being called ‘Jagannath Dham’..
They argued that it was an attempt to appropriate the identity of the Puri temple and undermine its unique significance. They also expressed concerns that such a name could lead to confusion among devotees. The controversy surrounding the name of the temple has been ongoing for some time..
The Trinamool Congress government had justified the name by claiming that it was meant to signify the unity and oneness of all temples dedicated to Lord Jagannath. However, the objections raised by the BJP and religious authorities from Puri were not fully addressed. The decision to remove the ‘Dham’ tag from the name of the temple is seen as a significant concession by the West Bengal government..
It reflects a desire to maintain good relations with the BJP-led government at the Centre and address the concerns of religious authorities from Puri. The move is also likely to be welcomed by the devotees of Lord Jagannath. The controversy surrounding the name of the temple has also raised questions about the role of politics in temple-building and management..
The Trinamool Congress government had claimed that the temple was built without any external influence or interference. However, the fact that the name was chosen without any consultation with the BJP or religious authorities from Puri has raised concerns about the lack of transparency. The Digha temple has been attracting a lot of attention and interest since its inauguration in 2025..
The unique architecture and design of the temple are said to resemble the Jagannath Temple in Puri. However, the controversies surrounding the name of the temple have put a shadow on the celebrations and festivities associated with the temple. The decision to remove the ‘Dham’ tag from the name of the temple will be implemented soon..
An order to this effect is likely to be issued by the government in the coming weeks. The new name of the temple is yet to be decided. However, it is expected that a new name will be chosen that does not include the ‘Dham’ tag..
The controversy surrounding the name of the Digha temple is seen as a reflection of the increasingly complex and sensitive nature of temple-building and management in modern India. The involvement of politics and vested interests has led to a lot of controversy and debate in recent times. The decision to remove the ‘Dham’ tag from the name of the temple is seen as a significant step towards preserving the unique identity and significance of the Jagannath Temple in Puri..
The move is also likely to be welcomed by the devotees of Lord Jagannath and the people of Puri. The West Bengal government has been working to promote tourism in the region and make the Digha temple a major tourist attraction. The controversy surrounding the name of the temple has put a shadow on these plans..
However, the decision to remove the ‘Dham’ tag is likely to boost the prospects of the temple as a major tourist destination. The controversy surrounding the name of the Digha temple has also raised questions about the role of the media in reporting on sensitive issues. The involvement of the media has been critical in bringing the controversy to the forefront and highlighting the concerns of the BJP and religious authorities from Puri..
The decision to remove the ‘Dham’ tag from the name of the temple is seen as a significant concession by the West Bengal government. It reflects a desire to maintain good relations with the BJP-led government at the Centre and address the concerns of religious authorities from Puri. The move is also likely to be welcomed by the devotees of Lord Jagannath..
Updated: June 9, 2026



