Studies in Bamadeva Samhita: The Cult. of Lord Jagannatha

The Bamadeva Samhita, Historical geography of Utkala during the time of the Bamadeva Samhita, identification of the deities in the inner and outer compound of Jagannatha Temple of Puri, workers of Srimandira and their duties, mode of worship as depicted in the Bamadeva Samhita festivals and their significances religion in the Bamadeva Samhita, philosophy in the Bamadeva Samhita and society and culture figured in the Bamadeva Samhita.

This Sthala Purana Bamadeva Samhita is an authentic source of Jagannatha Tattva and Mahatmyam. It dates back to the period from 1512 to 1560 A.D. as gleenced from the internal and external evidences. Though the text of this purana was first published by the Mukti Mandapa Pandita Sabha of Puri in the year 1972, the Puranakara is not identified yet. This text was compiled after model of the Purusottama Mahatmyam of the Skanda Purana starting from the origin of Lord Jagannatha to his worship, the purana narrates the cult of Lord Jagannatha. Since, Bamadeva Samhita emerges as a primodial puranic account on the cult of Lord Jagan natha and its tradition. This text provides all the information about the day-to-day Pujapaddhati of Jagannatha Triad and the other deities of the Srimandira. Descriptions of the temple servants of the Jagannatha temple of Puri and their daily duties form another significant component of the purana. Ostensively, the object of the present investigation is to unveil the facts figured in the Sthala Purana Bamadeva Samhita in respect of the tradition, culture and antiquity of the Jagannatha cult.