Odia community in UK prepares for King of Puri visit

The King of Puri Dibyasingha Deb, known as Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb IV, will be travelling to the UK in April – May 2023 with his wife . Maharani Leelavati Patamahadei … Rahul Laud reports.

King of Puri is the current titular Gajapati Maharaja and Chairman of the Shree Jagannatha Temple, Odisha and the current Adhyasevaka (known as the first and foremost servitor) of Lord Jagannatha and according to customs also considered to be the living reflection of the Lord. Huge preparations are on to welcome the King of Puri to the UK. The 70 year old King, the current head of the house of Bhoj Dynasty travel in the UK is organised by the Shree Jagannatha Society of UK.

Odia community in the UK is over 5000. “Pleased with emotional support for the King of Puri who is on a mission to spread the Jagannath Sanskruti in the UK and across the globe,we are appealing for funds from people from all walks of life to make his visit memorable ” admits Mancheetser based Siba Ranjan Biswal, one of the leaders of the Odia community in the UK. The King’s itinerary includes visits to the Jagannatha Temples in London, Dublin , Manchester and Edinburgh.

Devotees, fans and followers in Manchester have organised a Rathyatra, informed Biswal. An appeal for crowd funding is announced, he added.

https://pay.collctiv.com/gajapati-visit-and-rathayatra-2023-39136

Sharing more details of his forthcoming visit , Biswal said , the King will first arrive in London and address his followers and public on 23 April followed by his visit to Dublin 0n 30 April then go to Edinburgh. Biswal informed , “In the most humble way the King of Puri Gajapati Maharaja and Maharani will travel from Edinburgh on 7th of May 2023 by train to Leeds then by car to Manchester. He will give a Presentation on Jagannath Culture and interact with all local community people at Gita Bhavan temple on 7th of May evening. He will Interact with all Odia people around North West of England on the 8th May morning .Further he will head to Devon for a short break.