RELIGIOUS PRACTICES OF THE TEMPLES IN ANCIENT EGYPT AND PURI SHRI JAGANNATH TEMPLE IN INDIA: COMPARATIVE OVERVIEW

Abstract

Since ancient times, two ancient civilizations of the world such as the Indus Valley Civilization and the Egyptian Civilization though geographically fall apart from one another; they were well connected through the sea routes for maritime trading and cultural exchange as described in the ancient texts and archival records. The maritime trading also resulted in the social and cultural exchange between the two civilizations as well. The article focuses primarily on the striking resemblances observed between the Puri Shri Jagannath temple in India with that of the temples of ancient Egypt in terms of the religious worship of the deities, ritual practices in the temples, arts and architecture, celebration of temple festivals, religious record keeping, the role of king as the first servitor, humanisation of God and daily offering rituals, the concept of the state deity and God-King relationship etc. Though it is very difficult to trace the origin and evolution of the religio-cultural system and ritual practices in the temples of both the regions Odisha in India and ancient Egypt, however this similar system and arrangements might have been originated and evolved at one place at some point in time, might have gradually spread over to the other places in course of time.