Daijiworld Media Network- Digha
Digha, Apr 25: The coastal town of Digha in West Bengal’s East Midnapore district is being transformed into a high-security zone ahead of the grand inauguration of the newly-constructed Lord Jagannath Temple, which will be held on April 30, coinciding with Akshaya Tritiya. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is scheduled to attend the inaugural event, prompting an elaborate three-day security arrangement from April 28 to April 30.
The Chief Minister is expected to reach Digha on April 28, with rituals including a 'Mahayagna' (Havan) slated for April 29 in the lead-up to the main ceremony.
District Superintendent of Police Soumyadip Bhattacharya confirmed that over 2,000 police personnel will be deployed across the city to ensure tight security during the three-day event. Plainclothes police personnel will also be stationed in and around the temple complex as well as at key public spots across Digha.
In addition, drone surveillance is expected, especially during the temple’s inauguration, to maintain aerial vigilance. Specially-trained police commandos, along with CCTV installations across the temple premises and surrounding areas, are in place to maintain law and order.
All entry and exit routes to Digha are under stringent watch, with random checks and vehicle frisking being carried out to avoid any security lapses.
The temple, reportedly inspired by Odisha’s famous Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, is being projected as a major cultural and spiritual destination in Bengal. However, the naming of the temple has stirred controversy.
Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari has questioned the decision to call the structure 'Jagannath Dham Cultural Centre' instead of 'Shree Jagannath Temple', accusing the state government of diluting the religious sanctity of the structure.
Adhikari demanded a clarification from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and urged her to issue immediate instructions for renaming the temple appropriately across all government documentation.
Despite the political storm, locals and pilgrims are gearing up to witness the inauguration of what could become one of Bengal’s most prominent religious landmarks, adding a new spiritual dimension to the popular seaside retreat of Digha.