Socialism is a concept that stands ahead of any ism meant for the all round development of human society in general and constant well-being of the poor and the down-trodden in particular. This sublime concept has been existence from the dawn of the civilisation since the basis nature of the mankind has compelled him to adopt an environment of mutual co-existence and reciprocal co-operation. Jagannatha Culture, in short, has been promoting the same philosophical doctrine of universal co-existence from time immemorial. Puri, popularly known as Srikshetra, the abode of Lord Jagannatha, has been continuing as a meeting ground of all masters of various religious communities. These religious masters have forgotten their internal difference and personal identities under the influence of Jagannatha cult and have opted an integrated approach to their philosophical outlook, which was based upon the essence of Jagannatha Cult. The essence of Jagannatha 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, every body plays an important and vital role without which the work does not get completed. This constitutes the basis ideology of socialism which has been found to be reflected in each and every ritual And festival of Lord Jagannatha. Lord Jagannatha is known as "Patitapaban", which means a sense of commitment towards the well being of the poor and downtrodden. This present volume, consisting of thirty-two papers contributed by learned scholars of the concerned area, deals with several aspects of Socialism in Jagannatha Culture.
