Puri, June 29, (OT Webdesk): A spiritual storm has surged across eastern India after Jagadguru Rambhadracharya firmly declared Puri as the sole and eternal Jagannath Dham, rejecting West Bengal’s recent initiative to position Digha as an alternative spiritual hub.
During his revered visit to Shreekhetra Puri, the Padma Vibhushan-awarded saint rebuked attempts to equate any other location with the sanctity of Nilachala. “Lord Jagannath, the living Daru Brahma, eternally resides in Puri. Any such comparison is misleading and disrespectful,” he stated.
The comments follow West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s move to construct a Jagannath temple in Digha and organise its first Rath Yatra.
The initiative, while politically visible, has faced emotional and vocal opposition not only from Odia devotees but also from thousands of Bengali pilgrims who reaffirmed Puri’s spiritual preeminence.
Puri Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb also weighed in, emphasising that tradition and scriptures recognise only Puri as the authentic seat of Lord Jagannath. “Temples may rise elsewhere in His name, but Shreekhetra remains singular,” he said.
While devotion knows no borders, critics argue that branding Digha as a ‘Jagannath Dham’ risks diluting the cultural and spiritual legacy of Puri, which continues to draw millions for the annual Rath Yatra and year-round darshan.
As the sacred chariots roll forward in Puri, the controversy underscores a deeper call: to uphold spiritual heritage with sincerity, while respecting regional initiatives without compromising core traditions.
