Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, May 17, 2025, Digha/Kolkata : Digha, once known solely for its seaside allure, is fast emerging as a prominent religious destination in West Bengal. This transformation has been spearheaded by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, whose initiative led to the construction and recent inauguration of a new Jagannath Temple in the coastal town. Opened to the public on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, the temple has since witnessed an overwhelming influx of devotees.
In just 15 days since its opening, the temple has welcomed an estimated 20 lakh (two million) visitors, according to officials from ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), the organization entrusted with conducting the temple’s rituals and daily worship. The sheer scale of footfall has led to long queues, reflecting the temple’s rapidly growing spiritual and cultural significance.
On Tuesday, the temple’s sole offering box was opened for the first time by ISKCON officials, revealing donations amounting to approximately one million rupees. The offering box is scheduled to be reopened next Tuesday, and temple authorities expect the collections to increase as the influx of devotees continues. In response to the high number of visitors and the volume of offerings, plans are underway to install additional offering boxes throughout the temple premises.
While ISKCON has taken over operational responsibilities related to worship, the organization has clarified its limited role within the larger governance structure of the temple. “We are just one of the 27 trustees of the Digha temple trust and do not have a decisive say in matters such as naming,” stated a senior ISKCON official.
The naming of the temple as “Jagannath Dham” has sparked controversy, particularly with religious authorities in Odisha. During the temple’s inauguration on April 30, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee referred to it as a “Dham,” a designation traditionally associated with the historic 12th-century Jagannath Temple in Puri. The Odisha government, along with two Shankaracharyas, have since expressed their objections, emphasizing that the title “Dham” should remain exclusive to the Puri temple.
Radharaman Das, Vice-President of ISKCON, reiterated the organization’s position, stating, “We are witnessing incredible devotion from people across Bengal and beyond, but ISKCON has no role in naming the temple. Our focus is purely spiritual—on worship, service, and the spread of devotion.”
Despite the controversy, the temple in Digha continues to draw thousands daily, becoming not only a major religious attraction but also a testament to the evolving cultural landscape of the region. With enhanced infrastructure and continued public interest, Digha’s Jagannath temple appears poised to remain a focal point of spiritual activity in the state.