Chairman and founder of the FinNest Group of Companies, Biswanath Patnaik of Orissa pledged US$ 31 million (Rs 250 crores) to the Shree Jagannatha Society UK (SJSUK) for the construction of a Jagannath Temple in London during the first-ever Jagannath Convention held on Akshaya Trithiya on April 23, 2023.
The convention was graced by Gajapati Maharaj Dibyasingha Deb, the titular maharaja of Puri and aadya sevak of Lord Jagannatha, alongside titular maharani Leelabati Pattamahadei. Deb addressed the Jagannatha Convention in London on ‘Traditions of Lord Jagannatha.'
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
The first-of-its-kind Jagannath Convention in Europe witnessed devotees from across the UK and Ireland. It was attended by the Indian Deputy High Commissioner Sujit Ghosh and the Minister of Culture and Director, The Nehru Centre London at the Indian High Commission, Amish Tripathi. At the convention, Dibyasingha Deb felicitated India’s Deputy High Commissioner to UK Sujit Ghosh.
In his address at the convention, chairperson SJSUK, Dr. Sahadev Swain announced plans for the construction of the magnificent Shree Jagannatha Mandir London, with Phase 1 to be completed by 2024.
