Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan released a book —Unveiling the Mysteries of Jagannath The Supreme God on Earth — here on Friday. State Tourism and Culture Minister Ashok Chandra Panda was present.The book authored by retired bureaucrat AP Patnaik deals with the influence of the overseas visitors to the abode of lord Jagannath in Puri over the last few thousand years and the impact of their visit on the place, the temple and the rituals of the lord.
Pradhan praising the author’s efforts to chronicle the impacts of the overseas visitors to Puri starting with the Sumerians and Egyptians said concerted effort is necessary to trace the historical linkages of the lord and the Odias with other areas of the world so that the State can take its rightful place in the world heritage.Among others, retired Chief Secretary Ajit Tripathy, Prof Hara Prasad Das and Prof Kishore Basa present were present.