Bhubaneswar, June 9 (AHN) Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday hailed West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari for announcing the withdrawal of the “Dham” title from the Digha Jagannath Temple in East Midnapore district.

Taking to his X handle, CM Majhi said Lord Shree Jagannath is the spiritual nucleus of the entire world and the greatest symbol of cultural and spiritual identity. He added that according to scriptural and mythological traditions, the sacred city of Puri alone is the unique and unmatched “Jagannath Dham” of Sanatan Dharma.

Majhi criticised the previous West Bengal government, saying its narrow political outlook and lack of understanding of Sanatan traditions led to the misuse of the term “Jagannath Dham” for the Digha project. He noted that this naming ignored the eternal sanctity of Shreekhetra Puri and hurt the religious sentiments of Odias and devotees worldwide.

The Odisha Chief Minister revealed that he had recently written to the new West Bengal CM, strongly objecting to the attribution of “Dham” to the Digha temple and requesting its rectification as a cultural misrepresentation.

“I am extremely pleased that Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Suvendu Adhikari Ji has understood the importance and sensitivity of this issue and has reversed the short-sighted policy of the previous government,” Majhi wrote.

He said the temple complex at Digha will now be named “Sri Sri Jagannath Mandir Cultural Center.” On behalf of the people of Odisha, Majhi extended appreciation to the West Bengal government for this tradition-respecting step, saying it would preserve the sanctity of Lord Jagannath’s culture and strengthen brotherhood between the two states.

The Chief Minister reiterated his government’s commitment to safeguarding Odia identity and preserving the glory and dignity of Lord Jagannath. Responding to Majhi’s letter and the sentiments of crores of Odia people, West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari announced the withdrawal of the attribution of “Dham” to the Digha temple.