This publication is a survey of religion and ritual in Orissa, one of the major states of the Republic of India. It encompasses the literary Sanskritic tradition as well as folk and tribal religious beliefs. Beginning with a brief historical introduction, it deals with important deities of Orissa, their healing powers, festivals and the ways of ascertaining their divine presence by means of darśana, visual communication. In addition, it analyses the sacred geography of the countryside and the symbols and meanings found in tribal art forms. The book is the result of the most current and up-to-date field research and is lavishly illustrated with new and previously unpublished photos.

Prof. em. Dr. HEINRICH VON STIETENCRON, Department of Indology and Comparative History of Religion, University of Tübingen, was head of the Tübingen group of the second Orissa Research Project (ORP II, 1999–2005). He concentrates his research on religious history and movements all over India (see www.stietencron.com).

Dr. CORNELIA MALLEBREIN has studied Indology, Indian art and anthropology, and since 1982 she conducts yearly visits to India, focusing on classical, rural and tribal art. From 1999 –2005 she was member of the ORP II (see www.mallebrein.com).

Prof. Dr. ANGELIKA MALINAR is currently teaching Hinduism at the School of Oriental and African Studies, London.