Mamata donates ₹5 lakh broom for Jagannath temple, participates in yagna ahead of inauguration

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visits Digha Jagannath Temple to review the preparations for the temple’s inauguration, at Digha in East Medinipur on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit: ANI

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday (April 29, 2025) donated a broom made of gold to Jagannath temple in Digha and participated in the yajna ahead of inauguration of the temple on Wednesday (April 30, 2025).

“People from all religions, caste and creed have assembled here. Everyone is our guest. You cannot spread religion through word of mouth. Religion touches your heart,” Ms Banerjee told journalists.

The Chief Minister said that not only priests from Odisha’s Puri temple and Iskcon temple in Bengal have turned up for the ceremony but representatives from Adya Peeth, Dakshineswar and Belur Math have also arrived at the Digha temple.

Ms. Banerjee said that she dedicated the ritual for the welfare of the people of the State. “I was asked my genus (gotro) while I did the rituals , however I said that I am offering puja for Ma Mati Manush. If the people of my State are happy, I am happy,” she said.

Lauding the architectural work of the temple that has come up on the sprawling pink-sandstone campus, Ms. Banejee said it has become an international tourist destination. “It is surely a pride for Bengal and the entire country,” she added. The yellow flag on the temple was also hoisted a day before the inauguration.

The temple resembles the 12 th century Jagannath temple in Puri and has been built over the past three years at a cost of ₹250 crore. The temple complex includes garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum), natmandir, jagmohan and a bhog mandap. At the entrance is a 34-foot, 18-faced pillar carved from black stone.

The inaugural programme of the Jagannath temple at Digha will be held Wednesday after which the gates of the temple will be opened for the general public. The ceremony will be live-casted across the State and the Trinamool Congress has made arrangements in districts so that people can witness the ceremony.