Digha’s Jagannath Temple will be an important pilgrimage for centuries, says West Bengal CM; opens its door for public

The Jagannath temple at Digha officially opens for public. File
| Photo Credit: DEBASISH BHADURI

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday (April 30, 2025) inaugurated Jagannath Temple at Digha in State’s Purba Medinipur district with much fanfare and added that the spirituality at the temple will survive for thousands of years.

“I believe that this temple will spread spirituality as a pilgrimage along the coastline for thousands of years,” the Chief Minister said before opening the temple at the coastal town to the people

The ₹250 crore temple has been built over 20 acres of land is similar to the 12th century temple at Puri of the same deities. Ms. Banerjee said that the temple has four entry points or dwars and all the other facilities for performing rituals. “Along with Chaitanya Dwar, other essential temple structures have also been built. Daily puja will be held here. As part of the beautification efforts 500 trees have been planted at the temple,” the Chief Minister said.

Several artists from the Bengali music and cinema world performed at the well attended inauguration ceremony after which Ms. Banerjee opened the doors of the temple sanctum at about 3.10 pm.

The inauguration of the temple was a highly anticipated event for the ruling party and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who has been camping for the event at Digha for the past three days. The Trinamool Congress chairperson directed her administration to ensure that photographs of the temple and prasad (offerings) are distributed across the state.

“I will also request the administration to ensure that both the photographs and prasad are distributed not only across Bengal but to other parts of the country as well,” the Chief Minister said.

The towering structure of the temple stands at an impressive height of over 210 feet from road level. The temple is a remarkable example of Kalinga architectural style within the framework of Nagara Sthaptya and the main temple features a crowning Neela Chakra (an eight-spoke wheel) of Lord Vishnu at its summit. The Chief Minister said that the temple has two set idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhdra and Goddess Subhadra one made of marble and another made of wood have been consecrated in the temple and necessary daily rituals will be followed from Wednesday.

With the slogan Jagannath and Joy Bangla, the Chief Minister opened the doors of the temple. Political observers feel that much like the Ram Temple inauguration in Ayodhya in January 2024, the Trinamool Congress chairperson has given another home to Lord Jagnnath to West Bengal from Puri in Odisha, a pilgrimage frequented by people of the state. The inauguration of the temple is also believed to be an attempt by the Trinamool to counter the BJP Hindutva push in the State.

The Bharatiya Janata Party leadership had decided to boycott the event. Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday said that he began the work of rebuilding nine temples in Murshidabad that were attacked in the riots at Dhulian and Samserganj. Mr. Adhikari also organised a ‘Sanatani Sammelan’ at Contai in Purba Medinipur district where the Jagannath temple was inaugurated.