Domain of Lord Jagannath: A Historical Study

The world is languishing in the grip of violence, unrest and distrust. The human race is in distress to reach solution for its survival. At Puri, the religious heartland of the eartwhile Kalinga Empire, still exists a cult over thousands of years that preaches humanitarian principles and amity amongst all. Equality, fraternity, justice and benevolence is the theme of the cult. It is the cult of Lord Jagannath, for ages referred to as ‘Purusottam’ (meaning the best of mankind) i.e., God universified. The Orissan life has been intermingled with this cult for centuries. Lord Jagannath is revered as the omnipresent ruler, saviour and dejure Emperor of their life, property and destiny. The erstwhile ruler of Kalinga, the Gajapati King-Emperor, is regarded as His representative in real life (chalanti pratima) and considered his first sevak or servant. It is, therefore, unique and treats all human beings as equal while God is the sovereign. The author has analysed the bygone history of five centuries depicting how the Gajapaties have been instrumental in saving and smoothly propagating the cult.