Socialism is a concept that stands ahead of any is meant for the all round development of human society in general a
md constant in particular. This sublime concept has been existent from the dawn of the civilization since the basic nature of the mankind has compelled him to adopt an environment of mutual co-existence and reciprocal co-operation. Jagannath Culture, in short, has been promoting the same philosophical doctrine of universal co-existense from time immemorial. Puri, popularly known as Srikshetra, the abode of Lord Jagannath, has been continuing as a meeting ground of all masters of various religious communities. These religious masters have forgotten their internal differences and personal identities under the influence of Jagannath cult and have opted an integrated approach to their philosophical outlook which was based upon the essence of Jagannath Cult. The essence of Jagannath Cult is to negate the individual identity and importance and to adopt the involvement of many in respect of accomplishment of a particular work. In the process, everybody plays an important and vital role without which the work does not get completed. This constitutes the basic ideology of socialism which has been found to be reflected in each and every rituals and festival of Lord Jagannath. Lord Jagannath is known as “Patitapaban”, which means a sense of commitment towards the well being of the poor and downrodden. This present volume, consisting of thirty two papers contributed by learned scholars of the concerned area, deals with several aspects of Socialism in Jagannath Culture.
