• Dr. Pratima Mohanty

The sanctity of purusottama kshetra Puri in Odisha exists from pre-historic period where traditions never reach. This kshetra has been described as the most sacred place in Bharata Varsha. Lord Jagannath is the presiding deity of this kshetra. This kshetra’s greatness is unparalleled, its importance is unique and sanctity of this kshetra is unquestionable. Jagannath culture is responsible to combine people under one common bond of unity of different faiths, castes and creeds. The spiritual heritage of srikshetra has long motivated philosophers to explore their unknown wisdom. The Acharyas of different sampradayas (sects) could realize it, and they prayed God to fulfil their much cherished ambition to establish a matha (monastery) at Srikshetra puri, which could speak of their full bloom personality. This is the real cause behind the foundation of matha culture and tradition at puri. While many works has been done in the Jagannath culture, very little attempt has been made in the matha culture of puri. The focus of the study is to project a comprehensive description of the spiritual and cultural aspects of the mathas belonging to various sampradayas. their archaeological vestiges, system of worship, administration and their relationship with Lord Jagannath. The present study has been taken up with a view to understanding, analyzing and interpreting the matha culture of Puri, which has been in existence between 8th century and 21st century A. D. The method of study adopted was exhaustive field work based on, on the spot study of the different Mathas. Collection, compilation, editing and representation of information and data gathered from various primary and secondary sources. (Primary sources like palm leaf manuscripts, Sanandas, Chitaus of respective mathas, archival records pertaining to mathas have also been explored and studied. Similarly, secondary sources like previous works by several authors on this subject and gazetters, endowment records have been consulted to validate the findings obtain in the course of the study). Survey of archeological remains and their systematic documentation. Personal Interaction with the Mahantas of different Mathas and with their other associates.

Kshetra, Srimandira, Darubrahma, Mahanta, Sampradaya, Anushasana, Sanandas, Chitaus, Endowment.

"MATHA CULTURE OF PURI : RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL DIMENSIONS", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 6, page no.458-463, June 2019, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1908A12.pdf

"MATHA CULTURE OF PURI : RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL DIMENSIONS", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 6, page no. pp458-463, June 2019, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1908A12.pdf