Orissa is the melting pot of religion. It has a unique distinction of acting as a confluence of many diverse faiths like Brahmanism, Jainism, Shaivism, Vaishnavism, Islam, Christianity, & Nath Dharma. One can vividly witness how religion in Orissa has evolved from animism, nature worship, shamanism, ancestor worship & fethism to the highly evolved forms of religion like Brahmanism, Hinduism, Buddhism & Jainism.

The synthesis & harmony of the different forms of Brahminic worship Vaishnavite, Shaivite, Shakta, Ganapatya are all to be found in the great and grand temple of Jagannath or whose origin goes back to the tribal worship of Wood God. Around him, resolves the entire cultural milieu of Orissa. Religion & culture cannot be separated in a land, which claims to celebrate thirteen festivals in twelve month.

The life-giving stream of religion has flowed past the rise and fall of empires, producing and nourishing the sublime virtues of love, tolerates & compassion.