New Delhi: Amidst the ongoing tensions between Odisha and West Bengal over naming the Jagannath temple in Digha as “Jagannath Dham,” the Puri Jagannath Temple Committee stated that it would apply for patents for names such as ‘Srimandir,’ ‘Jagannath Dham,’ and ‘Mahaprasad’.
According to Hindustan Times, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee stated that the administration would apply for patents for terms such as ‘Srimandir,’ ‘Jagannath Dham,’ ‘Mahaprasad,’ the ‘logo of Srimandir,’ ‘Shrikshetra,’ and ‘Purushottam Dham’. This move was approved following a high-level meeting conducted on Monday.
The chief administrator added, “Patenting these temple-related terms is a legal measure aimed at preserving the sanctity, heritage, and unique identity of the Jagannath Temple. This step is crucial to prevent the indiscriminate use of sacred terminology linked to Lord Jagannath.”
‘Dham’ controversy
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, while inaugurating the Jagannath Temple in Digha last month, referred to it as “Jagannath Dham,” sparking a heated controversy between the two states. The term ‘Dham’ is a sacred designation traditionally associated with Puri. According to ancient Hindu scriptures, Puri is considered one of the four cardinal dhams (Puri, Badrinath, Dwarka, Rameswaram). The use of this term in another context has evidently hurt the sentiments of many.
Along with the Puri Shankaracharya, several others have argued that the term ‘Dham’ should remain exclusive to Puri, as it holds significant religious and cultural importance.
Religious turns Political
BJP leaders such as Sambit Patra and Suvendu Adhikari have reportedly accused the West Bengal government of using the temple inauguration for political gain. They criticized the allowance of non-Hindus and foreigners into the temple premises—an act that contradicts Puri’s Hindu-exclusive tradition.
On Monday, Puri’s King, Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, urged the temple administration and the state government to take immediate action against the newly inaugurated Jagannath temple in Digha, which has been named “Jagannath Dham.”
The Secretary of the Daitapati Nijog claimed that leftover wood from the Nabakalebara ritual was used for the idols in the Digha temple. Nabakalebara is a traditional ritual of Lord Jagannath, wherein old wooden idols of the four deities, including Lord Sudarshan, are replaced with new ones made from neem wood, known as Daru.
