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India
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Jun 27, 2025
Puri seer accuses Mamata of misusing religious name
Puri's Shankaracharya, Swami Nischalananda Saraswati, has taken issue with West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee for naming a new temple in Digha "Jagannath Dham."
He feels the name is being used mainly to attract tourists and says "Dham" is a special title that belongs only to Puri.
The move has upset religious leaders and sparked debate about respecting traditions.
TL;DR
Controversy reflects cultural, economic tensions between Odisha and Bengal
Swami Nischalananda also criticized ISKCON for holding Lord Jagannath's rituals on unofficial dates, saying these practices stray from tradition.
The whole controversy highlights ongoing cultural and economic tensions between Odisha and West Bengal, especially around preserving Puri's unique spiritual identity.