Historical Period
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Deities
Jagannātha of Puri
Jagannātha — the "Lord of the World" of Odisha
Jagannātha — the "Lord of the World" of Odisha
Jagannātha of Puri — one of the 4 Char Dham (Eastern) and one of the 51 Shakti Pīṭhas (the idol is of a goddess in tribal origin, later Hinduized). The idol is wooden (Dāru), replaced every 8–19 years (Nava-kalevara) by tribal Daita priests. Ratha Yātrā (July): 3 gigantic wooden chariots carry Jagannātha, Balabhadra, and Subhadrā 3 km through Puri; 2 million pilgrims participate. The Daita priesthood is from the Śabara tribe — the original tribal community that Hindu tradition honors. Non-Hindus traditionally cannot enter; this rule has been publicly debated.
Daily aarati (dawn + dusk); abhisheka; flower and coconut offerings; evening deepa-dhyana. Annual festival features procession, special darshan, distribution of prasadam, and gathering of community.
Each district of India has its own gods, stories, and sacred places. Cataloguing them — with real coordinates and authentic local tradition — respects the richness of India's lived religious diversity.
