As part of the Anavasara tradition, the newly opened Jagannath Temple situated in Digha, West Bengal, will remain inaccessible to devotees from 13th June to 27th June, 2025, exactly fifteen days before the scheduled Rath Yatra. With the temple set to host its prestigious Rath Yatra festival following the public inauguration in April 2025, the Anavasara period marks a vital and dedicated phase in the temple’s auspicious ritual calendar.
Ritual Significance and Dates of Closure
Following the Snana Purnimaam (Bathing of deities), temple doors shall be closed to the public, and all rituals will come to a standstill. This closure, popularly termed Anavasara, aids the deities in recovering from supposed colds due to ritual bathing by enabling rest and special herbal treatments akin to centuries-old customs at the original Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha.
Deeper into this period, devotees are prohibited from having darshan, which includes viewing the deities. Public access to the inner sanctum remains barred until the temple reopens on June 27, 2025, when all rituals of Anavasara are completed.
Inauguration and Growing Significance
The inauguration of the Digha Jagannath Temple, marked by the April 30 Akshaya Tritiya celebration, took place on April 30, 2025. The temple is situated on 20 acres near Digha’s railway station, where it has established itself as a leading spiritual and tourism hub for people from all over India. The temple’s architecture is based on the original Puri temple, which features intricate carvings and a towering spire.
Controversy and Community Response
Issues arose when the term “Jagannath Dham” was used for the Digha temple, claiming that there was no justifiable reason to refer to a Digha temple as “Jagannath Dham.” After facing resistance from devotees and religious leaders in Odisha, the West Bengal Government was forced to remove the “Dham” from all official signboards, changing the name to simply “Jagannath Temple.” Moreover, protests questioning the use of sacred neem wood for the Digha idols led to the suspension of a senior servitor in Puri, who was part of the Digha consecration ceremony.
Security Strategies and Festival Preparations
The duration of the closure is intended to facilitate the preparation of specific logistical arrangements and security measures for the upcoming Rath Yatra, which is expected to draw immense crowds. The appropriate organisations have begun coordinating with the local police and administrative offices to furnish the necessary order of security and crowd control management post-temple opening during the festival.
Visitor Advisory
Tourists and devotees are advised not to plan any visits from June 13 to June 26, 2025, when the temple remains closed. Its reopening coincides perfectly with the commencement of Rath Yatra, enabling devotees to immerse themselves in the festival and all its rituals. Official sources frequently provide inaccurate in-the-moment information. Because of this, travellers should remain open-minded concerning the reopening and festival dates.
Looking Forward
The duration of the closure is meant for preparing specific logistical arrangements as well as security measures for the looming Rath Yatra, which is expected to pull immense crowds. The appropriate organisations have begun coordinating with the local police and administrative offices to furnish the necessary order of security and crowd control management post-temple opening during the festival.
As a Conclusion
For ritual and security arrangements preceding the temple’s inaugural Rath Yatra, the Digha Jagannath Mandir will suspend operations from June 13 to June 27, 2025. It is believed that the temple will become accessible to the public immediately, marking the start of the long-awaited festival celebrations.
Read: Jagannath Temple Digha: Opening Hours, Temple Visit, and Overall Experience