Digha (WB), Apr 30 (PTI) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday inaugurated the newly built Jagannath Temple in the sea resort town of Digha on the auspicious occasion of ‘Akshay Trithiya’.
Banerjee thanked the workers and engineers who built the structure in three years.
“I would like to thank all those who came here for the inaugural programme. We had people from all religions coming for the inauguration," she said.
As part of the rituals, Banerjee also offered a golden broom to the temple authorities.
The chief minister said that in the coming years, the temple would emerge as a major pilgrimage site.
"Priests, people from the Sikh and Buddhist communities as well as other religions were present at today's programme," she said.
In a post on X, Banerjee said the emotions she felt during the inauguration of the Jagannath Temple in Digha were beyond words.
“This sacred space belongs to our ‘Ma, Mati, Manush’, and has been brought to life through the collective efforts of the HIDCO team, local residents, artists, industrialists, and devotees from across the state. This humble abode of Lord Jagannath reflects the very soul of Bengal and will stand as a proud and enduring symbol for generations to come.
"I felt my spirit stir with the divine radiance emanating from the sacred idol. I had the privilege of performing the aarati and invoking the blessings of the Lord of the Universe upon our ‘Ma, Mati, Manush’," the CM said.
During the day, she participated in the 'Dwar Udghatan' (door opening) ceremony before offering puja to the deities at the 'Garbhagriha' (the temple’s sanctum sanctorum). Prior to this, the consecration of the idols of the deities took place.
Banerjee also said around 500 trees have been planted around the premises of the temple.
The CM directed the state information and cultural affairs department to distribute ‘prasad’ and photos of the temple “to every household in Bengal”.
Several eminent personalities like singers Aditi Munshi, Jeet and Nachiketa, and the dance troupe of Odissi dancer Dona Ganguly performed at the event.
After the inauguration, the doors of the temple were opened to the people.