Buddhism and other Religious Cults of South-East India

We need regional histories, which can go long way in strengthening the common bond existing among Indian people, belonging to different ethnic groups. To meet the demand of regional histories, the Prachi Valley Cultural. Academic and Historical Society, with its head office at Puri in Orissa, came into existence. This book is a commendable result of the project sponsored by the said Society. The book specifically deals with South-East India, also known as Utkala or Orissa, that covers the vast area between the Ganga and Godavari. And, it is Prachi river the holiest river of Orissa that flows in between this land, that is the main concern of the present study. For, it is the Prachi Valley Civilization that provides materials essential for making the history of Orissa as most outstanding and glorious. One outstanding aspect of the history of Orissa is intimately connected with Buddhism. When Buddhism lost its glory and had become a forgotten religious creed it was none but Prachi Valley that preserved the material evidence of Buddhism, as a living faith at one time. Thus it is on record that the heterodox faiths, too, had an equal opportunity of development along with the Hindu religious cults, in the Valley.