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Odisha Probes Alleged Misuse of Sacred Wood in West Bengal's ₹250-Crore Digha Temple

The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration has issued a show-cause notice to a senior servitor over claims of using Puri's sacred neem wood for idols in Digha, as political and cultural tensions escalate.

West Bengal’s Jagannath temple, built at a cost of ₹250-crore, was consecrated on April 30
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West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee addresses the media during her visit to violence-hit Murshidabad on Monday. (ANI)

Overview

  • Odisha's Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) is investigating allegations that leftover sacred neem wood from Puri's 2015 Nabakalebara ritual was used for idols in West Bengal's Digha temple.
  • A senior servitor from Puri, Ramakrushna Dasmohapatra, has been issued a show-cause notice after making contradictory statements about the wood's origin and his role in the Digha temple's consecration.
  • West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has denied the allegations, calling them baseless and politically motivated, while defending the temple's designation as 'Jagannath Dham.'
  • Odisha's Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan plans to formally object to the use of the 'Dham' title for the Digha temple, which he asserts is exclusive to Puri.
  • The controversy has deepened political divides, with BJP and TMC leaders trading accusations over cultural appropriation, religious sanctity, and electoral motives.