Kolkata: The recent removal of the 'Jagannath Dham' signage from the temple in Digha, located in West Bengal's East Midnapore district, has sparked debates regarding its designation as a 'Dham'.

Local legislator Akhil Giri from the Trinamool Congress stated that the illuminated sign was only a temporary installation for the temple's inauguration on April 30.

"The sign has been taken down following the inauguration. There are no other motives behind this action. We are currently constructing a new gate named after Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, and the signage may be reinstated afterward," Giri explained.

In contrast, the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly argued that the sign's removal was prompted by two controversies surrounding the temple: one regarding its classification as a 'Dham' and another concerning allegations that leftover timber from Puri's Jagannath Temple was used to carve deities in Digha.

He suggested that the removal of the sign indicated a failed attempt to create a false equivalence between the Puri and Digha temples, leading to discomfort among those involved.

Since its inception, the Digha temple has been embroiled in various controversies.

Initially, questions arose about why the temple was labeled as the 'Jagannath Dham Cultural Centre' by the West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (WBHIDCO), the agency overseeing its implementation.

Legal experts believe this was a strategic move to sidestep potential controversies regarding the constitutional obligations tied to public funding for religious structures.

Subsequently, the naming of the Digha temple as a cultural centre raised concerns about the significance of the term 'Dham'.

According to traditional Hindu beliefs, there are only four recognized Dhams, known as the 'Char Dham': Badrinath, Dwarka, Rameswaram, and Puri.

Thus, no other temple or religious site can rightfully be referred to as a Dham, as the term carries profound religious importance.