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Purusottama ksetra boasts a continuous history from the third century BC to the present day and its unique monument like that of Jagannatha, which is famous in the world. By virtue of its geographical location, the climate of Puri is equitable throughout the year. It is easily approachable by road and rail from all parts of the country. So millions of pilgrims and tourists from all over India and abroad come to this holy ksetra and the flow is the greatest during the Car-festival of Lord Jagannatha celebrated in the month of June-July of every year. Purusottama ksetra has been considered as an important place of Hindu worship and is counted among the best holiday resorts of the country. It is well known throughout India as a centre of pilgrimage from the time of yore.25 The ksetra of Purusottama can boast of its fame since hoary antiquity. The sanctity and historicity of the ksetra together with its ideal healthy environment have been a suitable resort through the ages for the travelers and pilgrims alike. Purusottama ksetra gradually grew to be a place of religious tolerance accommodating different sects viz Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Temples dedicated to various sects began to be constructed in this sacred place. On the basis of the cultural importance of the site, M.M.Ganguly has considered Purusottama ksetra as the most sacred place in India, even more sacred than Benaras.26Purusottama ksetra was also known as Jagannatha Dham, which became famous as one of the four religious domains of India. Its fame afterwards out stepped the boundary of India. E. Hein considers that Purusottama ksetra, the 7

abode (site) of Lord Purusottama (Jagannatha) at the coast of Bay of Bengal in Orissa as one of the most prominent centers of Hindu pilgrimage. 27 Four religious centers became prominent in India, which were recognized as four religious domains (dhamas) situated in the four directions of India. Those are called Badrinatha Dhama, Ramesvaranatha Dhama, Dvarikanatha Dhama and Purusottama ksetra or Jagannatha Dhama existed in the north, south, western and eastern sides of India respectively. Traditions describe that Badrinatha Dhama was originated in Satya yuga where Lord Jagannatha was in meditation, Ramesvaranatha in Tretaya where Lord Jatannatha took his full bath, Dvarika in Dvapara where Lord Jagannatha was in deep sleep and Puri Dhama in Kali-yuga where Lord Jagannatha is taking various kinds of delicious and sacred food (Mahaprasada). Therefore, Badrinatha is regarded as the place of meditation, Ramesvara as the place of bathing, Dvarika the place of sleeping and Jagannatha Dhama the place of eating of Lord Jagannatha respectively. Probably the sight Ananda Bazar of Lord Jagannatha temple is conceived and created as a mass hotel-largest in the world. Considering its sacredness, the great Vaisnava preacher Adi Samkaracarya established one of his mathas here. In course of time, religious monasteries belonging to different sects were constructed in this ksetra. The mathas or monasteries were originally founded with the purpose of imparting education to disciples and giving shelter to pilgrims, feeding travellers, ascetics and beggars. 28 The local tradition records that there were as many as 752 mathas established in the ksetra of Purusottama, but L.S.S. O'Malley has mentioned that about seventy mathas were there.29 It is said that in the 8th century AD, Sankaracarya (the great Vaisnava preacher of South India) had set up the first matha at this ksetra (Puri). Out of various mathas existing in Puri, the prominent mathas are the Govardhana matha, Emar matha, Radhakanta matha, Odiya matha, Siddha Vakula matha, Kabira matha, Bauli matha, Ramji matha etc. After the establishment of mathas in this ksetra, a large number of pilgrims and travelers from all over India as well as abroad frequently come to Puri for darsana of Lord Jagannatha and enjoy by visiting excellent monuments, sculptures, paintings etc. 8