Digha’s Jagannath temple to open its doors on April 30 next year: Mamata

Digha/Kolkata: The new Jagannath temple in Digha would open its doors on April 30 next year, CM Mamata Banerjee announced on Wednesday, adding that she would attend the first Rath Yatra that would also begin from Digha in 2025.The CM, who carried out a detailed inspection of the construction site in the presence of senior HIDCO, police and other state officials, also pledged Rs 5 lakh from her personal funds for a golden broom."I had decided to build a Jagannath temple on Samudra Sarani on the seashore here. It will be like the Jagannath temple in Puri. It took three to four years to build this Jagannath Dham. Around 90 % of the work is over, another 10 % will be completed in the next three months," the CM said.The temple is coming up on 22 acres of land and will have guest rooms and rest areas besides an administrative building, a police outpost and fire service provisions. Women from local self-help groups will also get to sell local products. "So far, Rs 250 crore has been spent by govt but we might need to spend a bit more. This will include repairing and sprucing up the Masir Bari and the adjoining ghat," said Banerjee.The CM refused to go into comparisons with the Puri temple, though the Digha temple's height is exactly the same. "It cannot be compared to the one at Puri. The temple there was built hundreds of years ago by the great kings. The entire funding here is from govt," she said."A trust headed by the chief secretary will oversee operations. In all, we plan to induct 15-20 members. I am not a member, I am here to help. The trustees will include the DM and SP. There will be five priests from Iskcon, four from Sanatan Trust and four local priests. Along with them, there will be workers," said Banerjee."We have set up the trust in accordance with rules and regulations and we have taken legal opinions. The board will decide the route of the rath," Banerjee added.The CM said: "The main idol is being crafted of wood. The primary entrance will be designated as Chaitanyadwar, with the complex being named ‘Chaitanyadwar Jagannath Dham'. Like in Puri, there will be flag-hoisting here too. I have spoken with Rajesh Daitapati (of Puri). I asked him to take a look and he will arrive in two days. Everything is set," she added.The project, announced in 2019, commenced construction in May 2022 under HIDCO's supervision after delays due to the Covid-19."I am proud and dedicate this to the workers. This temple will last for years. This is permanence. Earlier, beautiful architects created stunning temples and mosques. You will be amazed at how beautifully HIDCO has made this. The presence of Vimla (Maa Laxmi) will be included with Jagannath-Subhadra-Balaram," she said.