Dikhyaa Mohanty 
The state administration will write to the West Bengal government over the designation of the Jagannath temple in Digha as “Jagannath Dham,” according to a statement made by Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan on Sunday. Speaking to the media, Harichandan stated that he will send a letter to the West Bengal administration after returning to Odisha and informing Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi of the situation.
“There is no justification or reason to name the Jagannath temple in Digha as ‘Jagannath Dham’. The sanctity and identity of the Puri Jagannath Temple, along with its unique culture and traditions, must remain undisturbed,” the minister said.
He said that the state government is dedicated to doing all within its power to protect the Puri temple’s integrity. The Chhatisha Nijoga, which is the council of the 36 traditional categories of servitors (Sevayats), and other parties involved in the temple’s ceremonies have already had talks with Harichandan, the Chief Administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Puri.
At a meeting held on Saturday evening, the SJTA took important decisions about the matter. The government is taking a strong stand to stop any return of indiscipline pertaining to servitors, temple ceremonies, and cultural customs, according to the Law Minister. He stated that the temple management has been given the power to respond appropriately when called upon. Harichandan attacked the opposition, accusing the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) of rampant “mismanagement” throughout its twenty-four-year tenure. He asserted that the administration led by Naveen Patnaik saw a rise in acts of negligence and indiscipline in temple matters.
