Bhubaneswar: Renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik has penned a letter to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing deep concern over the Digha Jagannath temple’s reference as ‘Jagannath Dham’.
In his letter, Pattnaik has respectfully urged the Prime Minister to intervene in the matter, emphasising the need to preserve the sanctity and uniqueness of Puri’s Jagannath Temple.
In his letter, Pattnaik stated that while the construction of the new temple is commendable, referring to it as ‘Jagannath Dham’ has hurt the religious sentiments of millions of devotees worldwide. According to Hindu scriptures, there is only one recognised Jagannath Dham, which is in Puri, Odisha. Pattnaik urged the Prime Minister to take appropriate action, citing the potential for religious confusion and the importance of preserving the rich Jagannath culture.
Pattnaik wrote: “While the construction of a new temple dedicated to Mahaprabhu Shree Jagannath is truly commendable and appreciated, the reference to it as “Jagannath Dham” has deeply hurt the religious sentiments of millions of His devotees around the world. As per our sacred scriptures (Shastras), there is only one recognized Jagannath Dham, which is in Puri, Odisha. Using this revered title for any other location may cause religious confusion and runs contrary to the longstanding spiritual traditions and cultural heritage of Hinduism.”
Pattnaik’s letter highlighted the Prime Minister’s devotion to Lord Jagannath and his efforts in preserving the Jagannath culture, respectfully requesting his attention to this matter.
The letter continued: “With deep respect and reverence, your unwavering devotion to Mahaprabhu Jagannath and your sincere efforts in preserving the rich Jagannath culture are widely acknowledged. I humbly request your kind attention to this matter and respectfully urge you to consider taking appropriate action.”
It is pertinent to mention that the The Digha Jagannath temple has been embroiled in controversy since its inception. The naming of Jagannath temple, has, however, sparked widespread criticism. The controversy has ignited a fierce debate, with many in Odisha calling for the West Bengal government to reconsider its decision and respect the sanctity of Puri’s Jagannath Temple.
