Jamshedpur: Preparations are in full swing in Jamshedpur for the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Shri Jagannath Spiritual and Cultural Centre, a landmark spiritual and cultural initiative aimed at youth empowerment and holistic development.
The Shri Jagannath Spiritual and Cultural Charitable Centre Trust announced that the President, Droupadi Murmu, will perform the Bhoomi Pujan and lay the foundation stone of the complex at Marine Drive, Kadma on February 26, 2026, subject to official confirmation.
Addressing the media, S.K. Behera, Vice Chairman of RSB Global and Managing Trustee of the Trust, stated that the Spiritual Centre will form the cornerstone of the entire project. He said the initiative is envisioned as more than a place of worship, focusing on spiritual education, cultural research, and personality development of the youth, particularly students and research scholars.
Behera highlighted the dedicated efforts of the core team involved in the project, including Manoranjan Das, Abnish Mishra, P.R. Das, and Sridhar Pradhan, along with several other members. He said the team has been working tirelessly on coordination, community engagement, and spiritual preparations to ensure the smooth conduct of the high-profile event.
The Trust is actively engaging social, educational, and spiritual organisations from across the region, seeking collective participation to make the centre a shared platform for spiritual knowledge and social upliftment. Thousands of devotees from Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, and Odisha are expected to attend the ceremony.
Explaining the long-term vision, Behera said that while the main Shri Jagannath Temple will take approximately four years to complete, priority has been given to making the Spiritual Centre operational at the earliest. The centre will serve as a hub for spiritual science, cultural heritage studies, and youth-centric learning.
Following the establishment of the Spiritual Centre, a grand Shri Jagannath Temple will be constructed over an area of 2.5 acres using stone architecture, reflecting traditional craftsmanship. The temple is expected to emerge as a major pilgrimage destination in eastern India, significantly boosting religious tourism in the region. Construction activities for the spiritual centre and the sanctum sanctorum are already underway.
Sharing the emotional journey behind the project, Behera recalled that the land for the complex was allotted during Droupadi Murmu’s tenure as Governor of Jharkhand. He said the Trust faced several challenges, including land encroachment and legal hurdles, and termed the upcoming Bhoomi Pujan a historic and deeply emotional milestone achieved by divine grace.
During the ceremony, the President, known to be a devoted follower of Lord Jagannath, is expected to address the gathering. The Governor of Jharkhand, Santosh Gangwar, has also been invited to attend the event. The Trust has made arrangements for the Mahaprasad distribution for devotees present on the day. The President’s visit is subject to final confirmation and official notification by the Press Information Bureau (PIB).
