Herbal Traditions in Jagannath Culture: A Holistic Exploration of Rituals, Healing, and Ecological conservation

Author(s)	Prof. Dr. Smaranika Das
Country	India
Abstract	The Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, a cornerstone of Hindu pilgrimage and one of the four sacred Char Dham sites, embodies the inclusive and egalitarian ethos of Jagannath culture. This tradition, centered on the worship of Lord Jagannath alongside Balabhadra and Subhadra, integrates Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Shaktism, and indigenous tribal practices, reflecting a unique synthesis of spiritual unity. Sacred herbs and botanicals, including flowers, leaves, stems, resins, fruits, and roots from diverse plant species, are integral to the temple’s rituals, traditional medicine, and environmental conservation. This study explores the multifaceted roles of these plants in daily rituals, 31 annual festivities, and three special festivals, highlighting their significance in healing practices, cultural identity, and ecological balance. The findings underscore the holistic use of sacred herbs in Jagannath culture, illustrating their contribution to spiritual, medicinal, and environmental dimensions of this dynamic and evolving tradition.
Keywords	Key Words: Ecological balance, indigenous tribal practices, Sacred herbs
Field	Biology > Agriculture / Botany
Published In	Volume 7, Issue 3, May-June 2025
Published On	2025-06-30
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2025.v07i03.50024
Short DOI	https://doi.org/g9r8cf

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International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research