Orissa Review * December - 2005

Influence of Culture on People of Orissa

Rajendra Kumar Mohanty

Introduction of the fact that cultivation and animal husbandry Culture of a community or a State or a are easily possible for undertaking in the lands Republic in general and a group of people in which lay on both the banks ever flowing rivers. particular believe in one aspect of universal truth To many historians as well as epigraphers which is evolved on a specific cult and that cult is and archaeologists, the land of Orissa is very invariably based on usage, belief and traditions peculiar for the simple reason that even though prevalent for many years or say centuries in a many tribal communities from the major part of community. The word Jagannath culture and the the population, but they almost have a common word people of Orissa connote two distinct spiritual belief as a result of which the worships aspects; the first one relates to culture of Lord of Lord Jagannath as we all know now has been Jagannath and second relates to Orissan people. a evolving synthesis of many people, but with a Orissa as such at present is comprising of 30 common stream of thought flowing from pre- districts, but its cultural boundary is bounded by Vedic period as is evident from many Purans and many ancient States speaking common language comparative study of old civilisation as well as i.e. Oriya which the historians as well as archaeological excavation. epigraphers say is evolved from Udramagadhi. The worship of Lord Jagannath in Orissa, However, the ancient State of Kaling, Utkal, as is described in the preceding paragraph, has Trikaling, Dakhinkosal and Kangoda comprise the led to evolution of distinct culture which is usually modern Orissa. The people residing in all the areas described as Jagannath culture. Jagannath culture are mainly aboriginals i.e. either classes of Sabaras believes in universality but not in sectarianism. or classes of Gonds and Kandhs. There are many Lord Jagannath as we know now is the God of divisions and sub-divisions in these three tribal masses, but not of individuals with individual communities and in course of time many sub- choice and thus naturally Jagannath culture has communities have come out their tribal boundaries been observed as a mass culture. People of and have mingled with the on-coming communities diverse faith with their distinct social backgrounds namely Kshetriyas and Brahmins as well as have worshipped Lord Jagannath as their own. business community (Vaishyas) brought in by the From the foot prints of the ageless cultural heritage ruling dynasty from both/or South and North. in India and abroad, we find that tribal (original As is known in particular cultural heritage inhabitant of Orissa), Dravidians, Aryans, is usually developed around river bank because Orthodox Hindus, Jains, Buddhist, Sikhs, various

27 Orissa Review * December - 2005 sects of i.e. Vaishnavites, Saivites, of Lord Jagannath which postulates with every Ganapatyas, Saurays, Shaktas have reposed their way of life as its contribution in its specific way to implicit faith in Lord Jagannath according to their the human welfare. belief. The culture of Lord Jagannath stands for Culture of Lord Jagannath has been an religious tolerance, co-existence of all religions elastic culture. Apart from influencing other culture communal harmony and international integrations. it has, in course of time and passage of ups and This has led to the present day situation in which downs, social, political, financial status of the we see that Lord Jagannath is worshipped by all common people which comprise the modern day irrespective of castes, creed, colour and Orissa, has incorporated in its fold, the various community. As a result, the entire universe and cultures and their salient aspects of various faiths. inhabitants of universe are part and parcel of the Jagannath Mahaprabhu is wooden deity concept of culture of Lord Jagannath. (Saura) without any sense organ. At the same Influence of culture of Lord Jagannath on time, he is Dravidian deity with sense organ. He people of Orissa is the Purusottam of the Veda and Darubrahmas Before we proceed ahead for discussions of Brahmins. He is the Dakhinkali for the Saktas on the influence of Lord Jagannath on people of and Vairaba for the Saivites. He is Mahaganapati Orissa from various angles, it is necessary to for the Ganapatyas and at the same time he is the analyze the various aspects of culture of Lord Suryanarayan for the Sauryas. His festivals are Jagannath which are the seeds for germination in of Puranic origin and rituals are admixture of tribal respect of Orissan people. rituals as well as Sakta's Nyasa and Mudrus and many more. His majority of rituals are based on The gap between men and Divine has been Uddiyan Tantras which are the refined versions bridged in Jagannath culture because Jagannath of Mahayan Tantras as well as Shabari Tantras is a highly humanised Deity. He brushes his teeth, which are evolved from Tantrik Buddhism and takes bath, changes his cloth, wears out robes tribal belief respectively. Of his mantras and gold ornaments, studded with diamond, (incantation Oum is Vedic and Hlim, Slim, Klim sapplires to suit festive occasions and seasons, are Tantrik. His Kaibalya (dried Mahaprasad of enjoys 56 varieties of food (Mahaprasad) and rice) is of Jaina origin and Nirmalya of Saivite 36 categories of servitors pay their "Seva Khatani" origin. according to their "Khatani routine", for the daily His worship, attire, foods rites and rituals duties relating to worship of Lord Jagannath. are nothing, but a synthesis of various cultures Jagannath culture does not admit any distinction and beliefs. But, at the same time it is free from in between the caste and communities. all types of regional separatism, scriptural Jagannath culture aims at liberating poor exclusiveness and regional narrowness. By its and down-trodden for better life for which he is wonderful power of assimilation it has effected called Patitapaban and for which he observes the synthesis of all cultural communities, States . and universe. Humbleness is a cardinal human value One of the major salient feature of culture which is amply prevalent in culture of Lord of Lord Jagannath is tolerance which is an Jagannath. Culture of Lord Jagannath always takes outstanding human value propagated by culture a positive view of the life. It does not attend to

28 Orissa Review * December - 2005 pessimistic thought of grief suffering and death. It belong to non-Brahmin category and Pujapanda, recommends strong faith in Divine. It teaches man Puspalok, Pratihari, Khuntia, Patribadu, to strive for perfection of its soul by the sacrifice Saurabadu, Gochhikar, Pati Mohapatra, Taluchha of his self. Worldly pursuits find no place in culture Mohapatra, Chhatisa Nijog-Nayak-Patajosi of Lord Jagannath. Here in concept of Lord Mohapatra, Mudirasta, Mekap and such other Jagannath, the devotees prays for/asks for divine group or individual belong to Brahmin category life, but not material gain. and both the Brahmin and non-Brahmin category Culture of Lord Jagannath has effected jointly participate in performance of rituals of Lord unity in diversity by faith, and integrated human Jagannath in a very systematic way as per society with the help of human value which are scriptural instructions. mentioned in the above paragraphs. The above facts pre-supposes the mutual Social Influence of Culture of Lord co-existence and equal patronage as well as Jagannath on Orissan people. weightage given and made respectively to various categories of servitors which is based on social Darshan and Mahaprasad sevas of Lord equality before the eyes of the Lord Jagannath. Jagannath are the twin desires of each believer of Lord Jagannath. When we as pilgrims devotees It has been a practice with Orissan people or as visitors go to the Lord Jagannath Temple to partake Mahaprasad from a common container complex, we usually wait for sometime to partake jointly in Anand Bazar irrespective of castes, Mahaprasad preferably in Anand Bazar. Anand creeds and without any Kuntha (hesitation). It is Bazar which is situated inside the premises of Lord told and believed that while we are inside the Jagannath Temple, is a place where premises of Lord Jagannath Temple, Puri, we use Mahaprasad in shape cooked rice, dals, curry, to get the essence of "Baikuntha", which does not sweets and Sukhila Bhog etc. which are offered exist in void, but exists where there is no hesitation to Lord Jagannath and reoffered to the presiding i.e. no Kuntha which leads to Bainkuntha (abode Lady Deity of Lord Jagannath i.e. Vimala become of Gods). Mahaprasad and are sold in Anand Bazar by the The impact of culture of Lord Jagannath in Suaras (the cooks of the sacred Mahaprasad). social life of Orissan people is so farfetching and Here in Anand Bazar people of various categories predominating that nobody as such in general can right from Brahmin to Sudras partake Mahaprasad fathom. The simplest example is that major in a common place from a common container. festivals, namely , Niladri This indicates that there is no sense of segregation Mahodaya, Nrusingh Janma, Sital Sasthi, between Brahmin and non-Brahmin or between Rajendravisek, Rukmaniharan, , the touchables and non-touchables or between Netrotsab, Ratha Yatra, Bahuda Yatra, Sayan Hindus, Budhists, Jains and Sikhs. Ekadasi, Garudasayan Dwadashi, Kartik Sankrati Similarly, there are two kinds of servitors or Dakhinayan Yatra, Chitalagi Amabasya, Jhulan engaged for performance of rituals of Lord Yatra, Gamha Purnima or Balabhadra Janma, Jagannath i.e. Brahmin and non-Brahmin. Rahu Rekha Lagi, Janma, Krishna Lila, Sudhasuaras, Paniapata, Mudalies, Daitas, Satapuri Amabasya, Ganesh Chaturthi, Rekha Duttamohapatra, Mahabhoi, Gananamalies, Panchami, Radhastami, Parswa Paribartan, Chapabehera, Muliasuansia and Deulakaran and Baman Janma, Anant Chaturdasi, Indra Govind Tadhaukaran and many more such other servitors Puja, Sahashra Kumbha Abhisekh, Dwitia Osha,

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Dasahara, Kumar Purnima, Hari Utthapan Cuttack, Puri, part of Khurda and Nayagarh), . Garud Utthapan Dwadashi, Nobarna, Kalinga (comprising Ganjam, part of Boudh, part Prathamastami, Ordhansasthi, Bakul Amabasya, of Gajapati, part of Khurda), Kangoda (tracts of Pusyabhisekh, Uttarayan Yatra, Basanta areas comprising in between Rusikulya and Panchami, Magha Purnima, Siba Ratri, Benta or Mahanadi rivers and in between Salima river (the Sikar, Sola Yatra, Chaitra Gundicha, modern day Salia river which flow in Banapur Ashokastami, Nabami, Damanaka Chori, Tahasil area), Dakshina Kosala (comprising Mahavisubha Sankrati which have been centreing Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Deogarh, part of round various aspects of Lord Jagannath, are Nuapada districts) and Trikalinga (comprising intimately woven in the social body fabric of Kalahandi, part of Phulbani part of Boudh, part Orissan people. No Oriya people goes without of Nuapada, undivided Koraput and part of adhering to the social functions either in individual Ganjam). or in group from the examples of the above The modern day Oriya script is an evolution festivals of Lord Jagannath. In so much so that if any new fruit or vegetable is plucked from the of Odramagadhi which is evident very much in garden of an Orissan native villagers, then the presence in the above tracts of areas more same is offered to Lord Jagannath first as bhoga. concentrated in Dakshina Kosala, Trikalinga, When a child is born to an Oriya family either Odra and part of Utkal, Kalinga and Kangoda. during performance of Ekoisia (21 days of birth) The impact of culture of Lord Jagannath in or in the annual function of birth, Lord Jagannath Oriya literature has been such that it has moulded is invoked to the rituals first. Similarly, when a into a composite literature revolving round the marriage is solemnized in an Oriya family the first culture of Lord Jagannath. The Oriya script and invitation is given to Lord Jagannath and lastly it Oriya literature are nothing, but manifestation of is a wish of Orissa people to either die in Puri to various aspects of Lord Jagannath from the eyes be cremated in Swarga Dwara at Puri, or be of the Poets and literary Pundits. offered Baisnabagni (sacred fire from sacred As per record, Madalapanji (drum Rosaghara or sacred Matha) to the pyre of an chronicle of palm leaf manuscript) is supposed to Oriyan fellow. have been started at the command of the first king From the above surmise, it is crystal clear of Ganga dynasty, i.e., Chodaganga Dev during that the social body fabric of each Oriya people 11-12th centuries AD. This Madalapanji is is woven around the culture of Lord Jagannath in nothing, but the recorded happenings inside varied hue of the excellent synthesized aspect of Jagannath Temple, Puri and outside which are spiritual ethos of Orissa. directly or indirectly connected with rituals of Lord Impact of Culture of Lord Jagannath on Jagannath as well as maintenance of Shree Oriya Literature Jagannath Temple, Puri and this Madalapanji is written in Oriya script. As has been described in the introduction, the modern day Orissa is comprising of ancient , the ancient saint poet of Orissa States of Odra (comprising the modern day part is treated as the father of modern day Oriya of Khurda district, Nayagarh, Dhenkanal, part of literature first eulogized and prayed Lord Angul), Utkal (comprising Balasore, part of Jagannath as Srikrushna. Also he adored Lord Mayurbhang, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagannath as "Boudha Abatara".

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Prior to Sarala Das and Madalapanji, many author of Rasakollala, Purusottam Das, poet of Oriya poets who profess Uddiyan Tantras which Gundicha Vijoy, Yudhistir Das, author of Gundicha was dominant in the then Orissa during the period Jatra, Baladev Badajena author of Samartarang ranging from 7th century AD to 11th century AD and Gundichabije enriched Oriya literature. believed Lord Jagannath as their master, wrote In 20th century Oriya poet, novelist and various scriptures in the shape of "Doha" which dramatists have also been inspired by the culture are basically nothing, but Oriya script. Lord of Lord Jagannath who have written on the noble Jagannath was the central point in that literary ideals of Jagannath culture. works. After Sarala Das, we find descriptions of worships and attires (Vesas) of Lord Jagannath , Suanga, Lilas, Yatra and Folk dances have got tremendous impetus and in poetic works of many Oriya poets namely inspiration from many fold splendid legends of the "Rama Bibaha" and Kalpalata of poet Arjun Das, holy triad i.e. Mahaprabhu Jagannath, "Gupta Geeta" and Laxmipuran of poet Balaram Mahaprabhu Balabhadra and Maa . Das, Niladri Satkam in Oriya script with Sanskrit intonations, Gundicha Bije, Darubrahma Geeta Influence of Lord Jagannath on the Political and Oriya Shreemad Bhagabat of Atibadi Aspect of Orissan People Jagannath Das, Kanchi Kaberi and Purustoma The unification of Orissa basing on Oriya Das etc. are some of the major contribution of language, Orissan sculpture and architecture. influence and impact of culture of Lord Jagannath Oriya language and unity in diversity of political on Oriya literature. Similarly, many Ballads and entities have become possible only for the simple Suangas were written on the theme of love reason that Lord Jagannath happens to be the between Lord Jagannath and milkmaid Manik presiding deity for each devout Oriya people. resembling consort Radha. Oriya bhajan In pre-Christian period of 3rd century literature was also highly enriched by the culture Maurya emperor Ashok fought with Kalinga of Lord Jagannath through the lyrical devotional people which has been recorded in the stone relics songs written by poets Madhabi Das, Banamali of Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves. The then Das and poets like and Kabisurya Orissan people were so strong politically and Baladev Rath. militarily that nobody ventured to attack the then During 17th century poet Loknath Orissa. This was for the simple reason that the Bidyadhar wrote a very interesting poetry then Orissa was united under the banner of the anthology namely Niladri Mahotsab in which he conglomerate concept of Lord Jagannath. Of portrayed various rituals and festivals relating to course the Oriyan warriors fought bravely against worship of Lord Jagannath. Similarly, in the year the army of emperor of Ashok, but ultimately 1820 another Oriya poet Gopinath Singh wrote Ashoka with the army of emperor of Ashok a kabya titled Niladribihari narrating the glory and looking at the gruesome slaughter of many brave grandeurs of different veshas (attires/custumes) Paikas, were converted to Dharmashok. of Lord Jagannath. Similarly, centering round the culture of Lord Jagannath in first century B.C. Maha Meghabahan During 18th and 19th centuries, many Kharavela the unconquerable brave Oriya Chief celebrated Oriya poets namely , titan ultimately became the king established first kandha saint of Rairakhol, Dina Krushna Das, kingdom at Sisupalagada near present day capital

31 Orissa Review * December - 2005 city of and he fought the enemies as their supreme Lord and have gleefully accepted and brought back the essence of Lord Jagannath the concept essence of Lord Jagannath. The in the shape of Jinasan to Puri and re-established people of Orissa are, therefore, tolerant to the unparallel composite concept of Lord differing opinion so far as spiritual concept is Jagannath. concerned, but accept each and every spiritual The then Orissa was flourishing in the name master with positive mind keeping Lord Jagannath and fame of Lord Jagannath through the patronage as supreme head. This has led to establishment of reigning king and that continued till 1568 when of many Jagannath Temples throughout Orissa the mighty king of Ganga dynasty surrendered with the patronage of the then reigning Kings and before Lord Jagannath with royal edict that the Zamindars and by far the best people of Orissa entire kingdom of Kaling/Utkal is endowed to are spiritually of high order. theLord Jagannath is the king of entire Orissa and Conclusion the king being a simple "Rout" (asistant) of Lord The Jagannath culture from time immemorial Jagannath. The divisive powers prevalent in Orissa preaches the word of love and peaceful co- within and outside could not venture to attack the existence among the human community. The then Orissa. This is the most pertinent aspect of character of culture is generosity and endurance political impact of culture of Lord Jagannath on and coordination. No culture or religion in Orissan people. whatsoever manner in whatsoever places is equal Not only this, but also even during the to this composite concept of Lord Jagannath. tutelage of Maratha or British administration, Lord Jagannath is worshipped throughout the unifying heritage of culture of Lord Jagannath world because he is generous and kind to all. He could keep the Oriya people in one political entity is looking at great and small, rich and poor, ruled which resulted into a separate State on the basis and ruler, Brahman and Chandal with an equal of Oriya language in 1936. Even during British eye. In this look, there is no question of caste, rule, the first revolution of Paikas whether in creed or religion, no place for egoism, aristocracy Khurda during 1918 or 1924 or in Sambalpur nor any place for communalism. Here worshipped under the leadership of Surendra Sai during last andworshipper are equal and as such their part of 18th century, are some of the proudest separateness vanishes which is symbolized in period of Orissan people in the name and fame embracing of Lord Jagannath by a visitor during of Lord Jagannath. Ratha Yatra. Lord Jagannath symbolizes universal Influence of Culture of Lord Jagannath on love and humanism. Myths, history and legends Spiritual Life of Orissan People mingled over centuries and have formed a composite culture of Lord Jagannath. He is not From time immemorial, Lord Jagannath has only the Lord of Hindu or Indian, but also the been the sustenance of spiritual life of Orissan God of entire humanity. Let his blessing be people. Many sects and their spiritual masters endowed to each inhabitants of entire Universe. have come to Orissa and have come to Sripurusottam Khetra, Puri, but they have merged with the huge expanse of flexible cultural ethos of Lord Jagannath. Be it Sankaracharya, Madhabacharya, Guru Nanak, Chaitanya Rajendra Kumar Mohanty is the Administrator of Mahaprabhu, all have accepted Lord Jagannath Shri Jagannath Temple, Puri.

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