A priest of the Jagannath Temple in Puri on Sunday said he is setting up a 300-room luxury resort with a strong spiritual focus in the holy town.
The beachside project would be a pure vegetarian and non-liquor retreat, aiming to offer a "satvik" experience to pilgrims and travellers seeking spiritual serenity with modern comforts, the priest said in a press conference here.
The current valuation is ₹200 crore, an official from his team said.
"Puri is not just a destination. It is a sacred abode where divinity meets the ocean. The resort will offer a blend of spiritual tranquillity and luxury hospitality," Sevayat Daitapati Bhabani Das said.
The construction cost of the 'Jagannatham' project is estimated at ₹110 crore, excluding land, he said.
The project, under Meridian Mist Hotel & Resort, is being built on a seven-acre beachfront plot along the Puri-Konark marine drive, about 8 km from the Jagannath Temple in Puri.
"I own the land and there is no conflict of interest with Jagannath Temple," he said.
Set to open in 14-16 months, before the Rath Yatra of 2026, the resort is expected to redefine spiritual tourism in Puri, attracting both pilgrims and high-end travellers, Das said.
Das and his family own 100 per cent of the resort but are open to diluting equity based on the response to the project's membership programme.
{{/usCountry}}Das and his family own 100 per cent of the resort but are open to diluting equity based on the response to the project's membership programme.
{{/usCountry}}The membership, priced at ₹3.5 lakh, ₹5 lakh, and ₹7 lakh, offers members a three-night stay per month for five years, making it a cost-effective alternative to luxury resorts in Puri. The resort targets 5,000 members in its initial phase.
The resort will feature studio and deluxe cottages, a spa, an amphitheatre, a jogging track, a tennis court, and dedicated wellness spaces.