Pictures by Bibhash Lodh, BS News Agency.
Bibhash Lodh, BS News Agency, Digha, West Bengal: Radharaman Das—Trustee and Head Priest of the Digha Jagannath Temple and Vice-President of ISKCON Kolkata—has sincerely welcomed the decision to officially rename ‘Digha Jagannath Dham’ to ‘Digha Jagannath Mandir’.
Expressing his gratitude, Radharaman Das said—
“We sincerely welcome this decision by the Honorable Chief Minister. He had personally discussed this matter with me, and we are delighted that the temple will henceforth be known as ‘Digha Jagannath Mandir’.”
He further added that this decision reflects the spirit of harmony and mutual respect between the people of West Bengal and Odisha.
“Lord Jagannath belongs to the entire world, yet His eternal abode lies in the sacred land of Odisha. If this name change brings joy to the people of Odisha and honors their sentiments, we are truly happy. After all, we are all part of one large Sanatani family, united by our devotion to Lord Jagannath.”
Radharaman Das emphasized that this renaming should not be viewed as a point of contention; rather, it is an opportunity to further strengthen the spiritual bond between the two neighboring states.
“West Bengal and Odisha share deep cultural, spiritual, and historical ties through Lord Jagannath. This decision demonstrates that when the devotee community and the government work together with goodwill, mutual respect, and devotion, solutions naturally emerge.”
He added that he is grateful to both the governments of West Bengal and Odisha for keeping devotion to Lord Jagannath at the forefront and for conveying a message of unity rather than discord. “True victory lies not in a name. True victory is found in the fact that millions of devotees are coming closer to Lord Jagannath. Whether they come from Bengal, Odisha, or any corner of the globe, Jagannath welcomes everyone with open arms.”
Concluding his address, Radharaman Das prayed that the Digha Jagannath Temple would continue to flourish as a vital center for spirituality, devotion, the distribution of *Prasad*, cultural heritage, and the propagation of *Sanatan Dharma*.
“May Lord Jagannath bless the people of West Bengal, Odisha, and the entire world. May this sacred temple become a place that unites hearts, strengthens faith, and inspires future generations to embrace the eternal values of *Sanatan Dharma*.”