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The Jagannath temple in Digha will be inaugurated on April 30 in the presence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee
Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee at the temple. (X)
With the upcoming inauguration of the Jagannath Dham temple, both the government and locals believe that tourism in Digha will receive a significant boost.
On Tuesday, West Bengal Chief Minister (CM) Mamata Banerjee gave a golden broom and a dhwaj was also hoisted like the Puri temple. A religious yagna was held, starting in the morning and concluding with the purnahuti performed by Banerjee.
“This world belongs to everyone, and places of pilgrimage are open to all. We have prayed in the name of mother, earth, and people,” said Banerjee, adding, “The Dayitapathi of Puri have come, representatives of ISKCON and Belur Math are here. Religion should touch heart. People from all religion have come.”
The temple in Digha will be inaugurated on April 30 in the presence of Banerjee. Major developments in infrastructure and roadways have been undertaken to support the temple project.
Speaking to News18, Suprakash Giri, a trustee board member of Jagannath Dham, said, “Digha has always been a favourite tourist spot. Over the past 10 years, significant progress has been made. While many temples across Bengal have undergone renovation, this new temple stands out due to its vast area. It will contribute to the growth of religious tourism. From now on, Digha will be identified not just for its beach, but also as the home of Jagannath Dham. This will boost both the local economy and tourism, creating new avenues of livelihood.”
The temple authorities have announced plans to organise a grand Rath Yatra this year, heightening expectations among the locals and visitors.
The inauguration of Digha’s Jagannath Temple stands as a glorious testament to Bengal’s enduring devotion and rich cultural heritage.Every intricately carved stone, and every prayer that shall rise from its sanctum, will embody the deep faith, unity, and enduring spirit of our… pic.twitter.com/jXpxJLn4i4
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) April 28, 2025
Bapi Sashmal, who has been running a handicraft shop in Digha for the past 30 years, said, “We believe more people will visit now. Digha will gain recognition as a religious destination. We hope better days are ahead.”
Local residents have also begun planning new business ventures. Some are preparing to open shops selling puja items such as dala (ritual offerings). Additionally, new sweet shops offering traditional items such as goja and pera are being set up in the region. Locals believe that the combination of beach tourism and religious tourism will give Digha a unique identity and broader appeal.
Ashok Samanta, a local sweet shop owner, told News18, “We believe there will be a growing demand for pera and goja, similar to how khaja is popular in Puri.”
Hotel owners are equally optimistic, expecting a rise in tourist footfall and welcoming the added identity that Jagannath Dham brings to Digha.
However, the political opposition remains sceptical about the temple’s impact on tourism. Eminent personalities from the industry and cultural fields attended the event, but not all were convinced.
BJP leader Agnimitra Paul told News18, “This is a fake Dham. The real Dham is in Puri and cannot be replicated. This is more of a cultural centre than a religious one. People come here for the beach. This is all part of her vote bank politics. She is a fake Hindu—people were killed in Murshidabad under her watch.”
Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury questioned the timing and motives behind the project, saying, “Jagannath Dham was never mentioned in their manifesto. Is she doing this under BJP’s pressure? Arvind Kejriwal read the Hanuman Chalisa—now she is doing something similar?”
Despite the political controversy, the locals remain hopeful that the Jagannath Dham will usher in a new era of prosperity for Digha, blending spiritual significance with natural beauty to attract a wider range of tourists.