Mamata Personally Oversees Preparations for Rath Yatra at Digha’s Jagannath Temple

Quick Summary

• West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reviewed arrangements for the inaugural Rath Yatra at the new Jagannath temple in Digha, East Midnapore.
• The temple was built by the West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (HIDCO) as a cultural centre and inaugurated on April 30,2025. It replicates the ancient temple of Puri in Odisha.
• Banerjee personally supervised preparations along a one-kilometer stretch and held administrative meetings too ensure smooth execution of festivities. She emphasized safety measures like barricades to prevent stampedes amid increasing footfall.
• Thousands of devotees, accompanied by tourists, arrived in Digha ahead of the event. Hotel accommodations were reportedly fully booked due to increased tourism since May.
• The festival includes decorated chariots and rituals beginning at 9:30 AM, with transportation provided through buses from kolkata.
• Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari criticized Banerjee’s involvement in religious events and questioned whether treating it as a cultural center disrespects Hindu traditions associated with temples like Puri’s Char Dham.
• BJP leader Koustav Bagchi has challenged government appointments for civic volunteers at the temple with a public interest litigation (PIL).

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Caption: Illuminated premises of Jagannath Temple on Rath Yatra eve (PTI)

Indian Opinion Analysis

The inaugural celebration at Digha’s Jagannath Temple highlights how infrastructure projects can influence regional tourism and socio-political dynamics. Increased visitor numbers reinforce its impact on local economies while raising broader questions about combining religious symbolism with state resources.

While CM Mamata Banerjee’s hands-on approach reflects her commitment to accessibility and public safety during large-scale festivals like Rath Yatra, criticism from opposition figures underscores existing debates about separating religion from governance in pluralistic societies.

This development also sharpens political rivalries ahead of festivities surrounding Hindu traditions-redefining public-cultural spaces amid contested narratives over faith legitimacy versus function as state-regulated venues.

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