The inauguration of a new Jagannath Temple at Digha was scheduled for Wednesday, with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee having attended the event.
However, some servitors (priests and workers) from the Puri Jagannath Temple have raised concerns and warned their members not to take part in the rituals of the Digha temple.
The Suar Mahasuar Nijog, a group of servitors responsible for preparing food offerings (bhog) at the Puri temple, and the Puspalaka Nijog, who dress the deities, have put up notices around the Puri temple. These notices ask their members not to participate in any rituals at the Digha Jagannath Temple.
While the groups welcome the opening of the Digha temple, they believe that the special rituals of the Puri Jagannath Temple should remain unique and not be performed in other temples. According to Padmanava Mahasuar, president of the Suar Mahasuar Nijog, if the same rituals are done everywhere, it will weaken the significance of the original temple in Puri.
The Suar Nijog has specifically warned its members not to help prepare bhog for any other Jagannath temple, while the Puspalaka Nijog has criticized a promotional slogan for the Digha temple, which suggests that people no longer need to visit Puri to see Lord Jagannath. They have also warned their members against participating in rituals like aarti or dressing the deity at Digha.
The Digha Jagannath Temple, which is being built as an exact replica of the Puri temple, is 213 feet tall and made of sandstone in the Kalingan architectural style. It is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Goddess Subhadra, and Goddess Mahalaxmi. The temple will be inaugurated on Akshaya Tritiya, a day considered auspicious for new beginnings.
Construction of the temple began in May 2022 under the guidance of the Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (HIDCO), and the rituals for its grand opening have already started with a “Kalash Yatra” performed by devotees.
