Bhubaneswar, May 4 -- The Chief Servitor of the Puri Jagannath Temple has strongly criticised the West Bengal government's decision to declare the newly built Jagannath temple in Digha as "Jagannath Dham", calling it a "political stunt."

Speaking to ANI, Chief Servitor Daitapati Bhabani Das Mohapatra said that, according to sacred texts, there are only four recognised dhams (pilgrimage sites) -- and no other place can be called a 'dham.'

Mohapatra accused the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government of acting out of "arrogance" and said the move was politically motivated. He urged the government to withdraw the use of the term 'dham'.

"We all Daitapatis and our community are hurt since this controversy has erupted. Since the time we ...