UK-based charity, the Shree Jagannatha Society UK (SJSUK), has received a pledge of Rs 250 crore from Indian entrepreneur Biswanath Patnaik towards the construction of Britain's first dedicated Jagannath Temple. This is one of the largest philanthropic donations given to a temple outside of India.
Patnaik, the founder of FinNest Group of Companies, an early-stage private equity investment firm that invests in renewables, has committed the funds towards the temple's construction. The pledge was made at the UK's first-ever Jagannath Convention held on Akshaya Tritiya on Sunday. Arun Kar, the Managing Director of FinNest, is also a principal donor.
The SJSUK plans to spend Rs 70 crore on acquiring almost 15 acres of suitable land on the outskirts of London. A pre-planning application has been submitted to the local council, and the first phase of construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.
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Over 600 devotees from across the UK and Ireland registered for the convention, which was 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 maharaja of Puri, who expressed his support for the temple project.
The Shree Jagannatha Mandir London will become an epicenter of Jagannath culture in Europe and a prominent pilgrimage site, attracting thousands of devotees and tourists from around the world, said Dr. Sahadev Swain, Chairperson of SJSUK. The temple will also represent a significant milestone in the country's long-standing and growing Indian diaspora.