Puri: On the eve of Janmashtami, heritage enthusiasts from across Odisha gathered at Sankhakshetra Puri for a memorable experience. The inaugural session of the Puri Heritage Walks initiative introduced participants to the rich cultural traditions and the deep-rooted Jagannath culture surrounding the world-famous temple, a symbol of Odia heritage.
The event was led by young heritage activists from Puri and saw participation from over 50 enthusiasts hailing from Konark, Gop, Bhubaneswar, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, and Cuttack. The walk began at the Mahaveer Temple near the Southern Gate (Horse Gate or Aswa Dwar) and included visits to significant sites such as Sriramdas Math, Kapal Mochan Mahadev Temple, and the shrines of Adi Nrusingha, Maa Bimala, and Nirmalya Khala within the temple premises.
Participants then gathered at Ananda Bazaar, where they engaged in a detailed discussion on the unique aspects of the Sri Jagannath Temple, exploring how various traditions like Shaivism, Shakti worship, and Tantricism have woven a rich tapestry within the temple’s daily rituals. Dr. Sarat Mohanty, a “Chunara Sevak,” shared his unique experiences of tying flags over the Neelachakra, offering participants a vivid account of the breathtaking views of the eastern coast from the temple’s heights.
Further enriching the experience, Siddharth Acharya, a young researcher of Jagannath culture and a traditional priest at the Maa Bimala shrine, gave an insightful talk on the influence of Tantricism in the Jagannath tradition. He highlighted how the Sri Mandir blends major religious traditions under Shiva, Devi (Shakti), and Tantric practices. Acharya also addressed participants’ questions, providing a deeper understanding of the temple’s unique religious customs.
Jagannath culture researchers Dayanidhi Tripathy and Debiprasanna Nanda also contributed to the discussion at Ananda Bazaar, shedding light on lesser-known aspects of the temple’s traditions. The event was coordinated by Puri Heritage Walks conveners Sanjay Baral, Dr. Aurojyoti, and Biswaranjan Dehury, who ensured the walk was conducted smoothly, despite the large Sunday crowd of devotees at the Sri Mandir.
Following the success of this first walk, the organizers and participants decided to make the Puri Heritage Walk a monthly event, to be held on the second Sunday of each month. Future walks will focus on specific shrines or groups of temples within the holy city and will also explore the traditional culinary delights of Puri, highlighting the city’s authentic Odia cuisine.
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