An Odisha-born entrepreneur in the United Kingdom, Biswanath Patnaik, has pledged about Rs 250 crores to a UK-based charitable organisation Shree Jagannatha Society (SJS) UK, working on constructing the UK’s first temple devoted to Bhagwan Jagannath in London. The temple’s first construction phase is scheduled to be completed by next year.
Biswanath Patnaik pledged the amount to SJS at the first Shree Jagannatha Convention held in London on April 23 on the eve of Akshaya Tritiya. Furthermore, he has encouraged the devotees to work together to realise the ambitions of having a Jagannath Temple in the UK.
Biswanath Patnaik, the founder of FinNest Group of companies, joins the company’s managing director, Arjun Kar, who is the UK-based principal donor of the project.
“Speaking at this occasion, Arjun Kar announced that Shri Biswanath Patnaik has pledged a sum of GBP 25 million towards the construction of a magnificent temple for Bhagwan Jagannath in London, which will be facilitated by FinNest Group of Companies, of which he is the Managing Director”.
Dr Sahadev Swain, the Chairman of SJS UK, has expressed hope that the temple will serve as a hub for Bhagwan Jagannath culture and an important pilgrimage place in Europe. The construction for the first Jagannath Temple in the UK is progressing in full swing. The SJS UK has set aside about Rs 70 crores (£7 million) to acquire 15 acres of land on the outskirts of London, UK. A pre-planning application has been submitted to the local council for land acquisition. The first construction phase is projected to be finished by the end of 2024.
Who is Biswanath Patnaik?
The donor, Biswanath Patnaik, is an entrepreneur in the UK with roots in Odisha, India. He founded the FinNest Group of Companies. The FinNest Group has investments in renewables, electric vehicles (EVs), hydrogen locomotives, etc.
He holds MBA, LLB, and a BA in Economics. He worked extensively in the banking sector for several years and entered entrepreneurship in 2009.
He has a diverse portfolio ranging from healthcare, fintech, and renewable energy to gold refinery and bullion trading in Dubai.
Patnaik has announced plans to spend 500 crores in a production unit for EV-Hydrogen trucks and heavy commercial vehicles in Odisha.
He is a UNESCO donor and has supposedly appeared on the cover of Forbes magazine.
Shree Jagannatha Convention
The Shree Jagannatha Convention witnessed about 600 devotees from across the UK. Furthermore, the convention was attended by prominent figures, including India’s Deputy High Commissioner in London, Sujit Ghosh, the Deputy High Commissioner of India, author and Minister (Culture and Education) at the Indian High Commission in UK Amish Tripathi, who’s a famous author of ‘Shiva Trilogy’ series and Director of the Nehru Centre, London.
The titular Maharaja of Puri, Gajapati Maharaj Shri Dibyasingha Deb, graced the event; also, the aadya sevak of Bhagwan Jagannath, appeared along with titular maharani Leelabati Pattamahadei.
Gajapati Maharaj spoke to the crowd about Bhagwan Jagannath’s traditions and the significance of Purushottama Kshetra. He also expressed his joy that Bhagwan Jagannath’s adoration has expanded throughout India and worldwide.
He said, “Lord Jagannatha is invoked and worshipped by virtually all the diverse religious sampradayas, each in their own way. Lord Jagannatha is also worshipped by Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs. This universal all-inclusive dimension of the tradition of Lord Jagannatha reminds us that we are all children of the one divine father (vasudhaiva kutumbakam) and co-travellers on the path to divinity”.
