Digha's Jagannath rath yatra to start next year; Mamata cites pending work

People of West Bengal were eagerly waiting for 7 July as this year's Rath yatra would have been special. West Bengal is getting a Jagannath temple in Digha - made similar to the Jagannath Puri temple of Odisha. However, it seems like this year, we won't be seeing the new chariot of lord Jagannath.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took to X and announced that Rathyatra from Digha's temple will start next year due to some pending works and processes. Mamata said, "Happy to announce that, as in Puri, we in West Bengal are also erecting a pride-inspiring temple complex for Lord Jagannath at Digha. The Lord, Balabhadra, and Subhadra will be worshipped here too, Rathayatra also will be celebrated."

She further added, "Despite some discussions otherwise, fact is that the Rathayatra will be performed at Digha from next year only. Some works and processes are incomplete as of now, and they need to be concluded before the Lord's wheels start moving next year onwards. The Rathayatra of Digha will be observed with fullest respect and solemnity. All are invited there. Let the Lord's abode at Digha emerge as the new place of amity for India."

She ended her tweet with "Jai Jagannath!" Recently, the Calcutta High Court was hearing a PIL over the construction of this temple. A petitioner claimed that the construction done by HIDCO is wrong as they cannot work in different parts of the state. To this, the Calcutta Hig Court observed that any body is free to work in any part of the state and it is the government's job to allot the work.