Role of Panchasakha in the Socio-Religious life of the people of Odisha

Abstract

Abstract

Odisha displayed remarkable socio-religious harmony through the different times of her history. Right from the ancient period, Odisha, assumed to be a melting point of different religions and cultures. By the time when the Muslims started ruling over Odisha, Jainism, Buddhism, Sakti worship, Sun worship, Saivism and Vaishnavism all mingled together to influence the religious life of the people. This has been reflected in the social habits, food, dress and ornaments; and dance, music and festivals. A resume of such a socio-religious harmony was displayed in the period of Panchasakha. Odisha in the medieval period marks an era with the past in respect of the evolution of society. The Hindus gradually accommodated the newcomers viz., the Muslims and they became parts of Odishan society. The absence of racial conflicts exhibits the better social and religious understanding of the people belonging to all the segments of medieval Odisha.