Śrī Jagannātha as a Vedic Deity

Jagannātha cult, centered at Puri, Odisha, is a cornerstone of Indian religious tradition, with Lord Śrī Jagannātha worshipped as the Supreme Puruṣottama alongside Śrī Balabhadra and Śrī Subhadrā. This paper investigates the Vedic foundations of the Jagannātha cult, arguing that its rituals, iconography, and philosophical underpinnings deeply rooted in Vedic texts, including the Ṛgveda, Yajurveda, Atharvaveda, and associated Brāhmaṇas and Purāṇas. Key evidence includes the deitys representation asDāru-Devatā (wooden deity), the use of Vedic mantras such as the Puruṣa Sūkta, Sri Sūkta, and Gāyatrī Mantra in worship, and the Ratha Yātras parallels with Vedic chariot symbolism. Geological and metallurgical elements in the temples construction and ritual utensils further reflect Vedic material science. The paper explores Śrī Jagannāthas identity as Puruṣottama, the Supreme Puruṣa, and addresses scholarly debates about Vedic versus tribal origins, asserting that the cults syncretic nature enhances ratherthan diminishes its Vedic character. This study synthesizes textual, ritualistic, and material evidence to affirm Jagannāthas status as a Vedic deity, embodying a universal and inclusive Vedic philosophy. Keywords: Śrī Jagannātha, Vedic, Puruṣa Sūkta, Dāru-Devatā, Ratha Yatrā, Gāyatrī Mantra, Puruṣottama, Vedic rituals, temple architecture, syncretism