Jagannath Revisited: Studying Society, Religion and the State in Orissa

In June 1997, a group of German and Indian scholars assembled at a conference in Heidelberg held on the topic of "Jagannath Revisited: Studying Society, Religion and the State in Orissa". The articles published in this book represent papers presented at this conference. They include contributions from social anthropology, history, indology, religious studies, archaeology and political science, discussing topics as diverse as religious practices among Orissan adivasis, the renewal of the body of Jagannath, the history of Mahima Dharma sect, the ritual politics of a Dhenkanal village, and the rebellious attitude of the jungle king. Even when Jagannath is re-investigated, it is his worship by subaltern groups rather than the scriptual, orthodox view that is the present focus of study.