The newly inaugurated Jagannath Temple in Digha, West Bengal, is drawing significant interest from foreign tourists, particularly devotees of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). The temple, which replicates the famed Jagannath shrine in Puri, has become a spiritual destination for international visitors who are traditionally barred from entering the Puri temple.
Surge in International Interest
According to Radharamn Das, Vice President of ISKCON Kolkata, the temple’s inauguration on April 30 saw participation from nearly 150 nationalities. Since then, ISKCON has been flooded with queries from foreign devotees eager to visit the temple and experience its architectural resemblance to Puri’s Jagannath shrine.
Das noted that many visitors have been sharing videos of the inauguration on social media, further amplifying global interest. The temple is now being included in the itinerary of ISKCON devotees traveling to India, alongside Mayapur and Kolkata, which are key ISKCON pilgrimage sites.
Tourism Boom in Digha
The Digha Sankarpur Hoteliers’ Association has reported a surge in tourist footfall, with expectations of further growth as foreign visitors plan their trips. Susanta Patra, the association’s president, stated that hotels in Digha are already experiencing high occupancy rates, and additional facilities may be developed to accommodate the rising demand.
ISKCON has also invited Alfred Ford, the great-grandson of Henry Ford and a devoted follower of ISKCON, to visit the temple. Das expressed confidence that Ford would visit with his family, further enhancing the temple’s global recognition.
Future Prospects
With over 2 million visitors recorded within just 15 days of its inauguration, the Jagannath Temple in Digha is poised to become a major pilgrimage and tourist attraction. The temple’s success is expected to boost local businesses, including hospitality, transportation, and cultural tourism.
As West Bengal continues to develop its religious tourism sector, the Digha Jagannath Temple stands as a testament to the growing global appeal of Indian spiritual heritage.
