Thanks to an initiative taken by NRI doctor Sahadev Swain, a resident of Saliancha village under Aul block, a Jagganath idol was installed for the first time in London last week.
Besides, plans are afoot to set up a standalone temple dedicated to Lord Jagannath with an estimated cost of Rs 40 crore in Britain that will be the first of its kind in Europe.
Earlier, the idols of the sibling deities had been carved from trunk of a holy neem tree in Odisha after performing all the stipulated religious rituals in consultation with Daitapatis (of the Shri Jagannatha temple in Puri and the idols were sent to London with the initiatives of Dr Swain.
Later, the idols and the divine Sudarshana Chakra were placed temporarily at the Shree Ram Mandir, King Street, Southall, the oldest Hindu temple in Britain.
Elaborate rituals were conducted under the guidance of eminent priests from Shri Jagannatha temple in Puri. The Prana Pratistha rituals of the deities was performed over 3 days between November 1 and 3, at the temple premises in the presence of scores of devotees.
The week-long festivities concluded recently at a Vigraha Sthapana Divas (idol installation) at the temple where the divine deities were formally unveiled at a function attended by eminent personalities, faith leaders and representatives of several religious organisations, temples and Gurudwaras across the UK, and hundreds of devotees who had come from far and wide.
Swain who is chairperson of the Shree Jagannatha Society, UK announced that the Shree Ram Mandir will be a tactical operation centre in London to enable devotees from across the UK to worship Lord Jagannath until the construction of a grand Jagannath temple.
The first phase of construction will be completed by 2024 at a projected cost of £4 million( Rs 40 crore). The Trust is actively looking for a large piece of land around the M25 corridor in the North-Northwest of London and fundraising activities are ongoing, added Swain.
In a congratulatory video message, Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik also congratulated by praising the Shree Jagannatha Society UK for establishing a Lord Jagannath temple in London.