3. The Jagannatha Cult and political power
Under this heading two main fields are investigated: the relationship of the Jagannatha Cult to the institution of kingdom and its legal aspects.
      3.1. A critical edition, translation and analysis of the Raja Bhoga (G. Dash) .
The Raja Bhoga is a part of the so called Madala Panji, the famous temple chronicle of Puri, dealing with the dynastic history of Orissa. Amongst the various manuscripts the project succeeded in collecting, there is also a "Madala Panji", whose Raja Bhoga proved to be an invaluable manuscript. As only a small part of the text has hitherto been published a critical edition, translation, and a text critical and historical analysis has been undertaken. This will also solve historical questions of the formation of the Jagannatha tradition.
      3.2. The Jagannatha cult and the Orissa Rajas (H. Kulke).
This study is presented in a separate paper in this conference. It shows the role of the Jagannatha Cult under the Gajapati Dynasties, where it became the state religion and its sudden expansion after the fall of the last independent Hindu dynasty (1568 A.D.) . This expansion was einforced under British rule. The independent princely states introduced the Jagannatha Cult as legitimation to their claims and theirby initiated a process of "Hinduisation", in the Hinterland so far mostly formed by tribal religion.
      3.3. An analysis of traditional legal concepts and the traditional legal structure of the temple complex at Puri (G. Sentheimer)
In this context legal institutions relating to the acquisition, enjoyment, and alienation of property, e.e. the institution of trust (nivi) and kutta, a king of lease, will be incestigated. The study will make it possible to draw comparisions between the traditional and the present legal, administrative and economic position of the temple.
      3.4. The relation between the Jagannatha Temple of Puri and the modern secular state (D. Conrad).
This study will concentrate on the jurirical position of the temple in the modern secular state and the connected legal traditions derived from the British adminnistration of Law. It will include an analysis of the New State Legislation regarding the Orissa Hindu Religious Endowments Act, and if possible also the recent land reform concerning the temple properties. This is of importance to the analysis of the temple as social and economic institution.
      4. The Jagannatha Temple of Puri as religious institution.
      4.1. A functional analysis of the pristhood (M. Mahapatra - N.N.).
This analysis of the actual functions and hierarchic structures of the traditionally 118 different classes of prists is an important topic within the project. M.Mahapatra started collecting material, but had to leave the project, and a successor for his work could not yet be found.
      4.2. Pilgrims and Pandas (J. Rosel).
J. Rosel spent a year in "participating observation" with the Pandas, the temple priests concerned with pilgrimage. He has given an analysis of the several social, economical, psychological, folkloristic and also touristic aspects of pilgrimage and its development since pre-colonial times. One of his most striking results is the fact, that the attraction of a traditional centre like the temple city today has not, as one may perhaps expect, diminuished but on thes contrary increases by the help of modern means of communication like railways, printing- press etc. Moreover, modern media like radio and film mainly spread mythological topics, thus leading to a sort of modern sanscritisation, which gradually erases the original diversities of regional tradition.
      4.3. Typology of sacred objects connected with pilgrimage (J. Rosel).
The above study will be supplemented by a survey of a collection of religious and folkloristic objects which are available in Puri and are usually by pilgrims.
      4.4. The Sankaracharayas (J. Lutt).
The four Sankaracharayas are holders of pontifical seats founded by Shankara. One of them is attached to the Jagannatha Temple. They are said to represent a sort of religious authority for Hinduism in general and are still of considerable influence on the political scene. The study of their political and religious role past and present will therefore give some information on the general position of the Jagannatha Cult within Hinduism as well as contribute to the history and the political aspects of the Cult.