Britain’s first dedicated Jagannath Temple gets pledge of Rs 250 crore from Indian billionaire

London:The UK charity raising funds to build Britain’s first dedicated Jagannath Temple has received a pledge of £25 million (Rs 250 crore) towards temple construction from an Odia entrepreneur. This is one of the largest philanthropic donations given to a temple outside India.

Billionaire Biswanath Patnaik, chairman and founder of the FinNest Group of Companies, an early-stage private equity investment firm that invests in renewables, announced his pledge to the Shree Jagannatha Society UK (SJSUK) during the UK’s first-ever Jagannath Convention held on Akshaya Trithiya on Sunday. Arun Kar, MD of FinNest, is also a principal donor.

Plans for the temple are speeding ahead with £7 million (Rs 70 crore) of the £25 million to be spent on acquiring nearly 15 acres of suitable land in the outskirts of London. A pre-planning application has been submitted to the local council. The first phase of construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.

More than 600 devotees from across the UK and Ireland registered for the convention, the first of its kind in Europe. Dignitaries included Indian deputy high commissioner Sujit Ghosh and Amish Tripathi, author and minister (culture and education) at the Indian high commission.

The convention was graced by Gajapati Maharaj Shri Dibyasingha Deb, the titular maharaja of Puri and aadya sevak (first and foremost servitor) of Lord Jagannatha, alongside titular maharani Leelabati Pattamahadei.

Gajapati Maharaj Dibyasingha Deb felicitating India’s Deputy High Commissioner to UK Sujit Ghosh at the First Jagannatha Convention in London on Akshaya Trithiya 23rd April. Also seen with Amish Tripathy, @authoramish Minister of Culture and Director, The Nehru Centre London. pic.twitter.com/aX5p2dfMfJ

— Shree Jagannatha Society UK (@JagannathaUK) April 24, 2023

“#JagannathaMandirLondon will soon become a reality”.

Aadya Sevak of Lord Jagannatha, Gajapati Maharaj Shri Dibyasingha Deb addressing the Jagannatha Convention in London on ‘Traditions of Lord Jagannatha’. First ever to be held in Europe. Organised by SJSUK@JagannathaDhaam pic.twitter.com/wulPoOLwEk

— Shree Jagannatha Society UK (@JagannathaUK) April 24, 2023