Book review
The temple town of Puri in Orissa, one of the four most sacred sites of Hindus, has been a major centre of Vaishnavism for almost a millennium. A deity of great antiquity, earlier known as Purushottama and Nilamadhava, Sri Jagannatha, the presiding deity of its main temple, considered as the creator of incarnations and a manifestation of the supreme divinity is identified with Krishna and Vishnu. His palatial temple, Srimandira, was built in the twelfth century and is one of the finest specimens of the Kalinga style of architecture.

The elevated grounds on which the temple stands is known as Blue Hill, Blue Region and Blue Mountain, also used as popular appellations of Jagannatha. He represents a new consciousness, the essence of which is simple surrender and the triumph of intimate devotion. Numerous saint poets have poured out their most intimate personal communication to their Dark Darling of the Blue Hill in enchanting lyrical compositions. These songs, hymns to Jagannatha have been sung by devotees for ages and are part of a living tradition even today.