From Heritage Revival to Community Impact
Since 2014, Dr. Susant Kumar Sahoo's work has developed around a connected approach to heritage, culture and community development in the Chilika region.
Heritage, Culture, Community, Education, Environment & Institutions
His initiatives combine research, documentation, physical heritage revival, living cultural traditions, education, youth engagement, community service and institution building.
Heritage
Heritage Revival
Kankanashikhari & Lord Harihareswara Temple, Nairi
Research and field initiatives have brought renewed attention to two historically significant heritage locations associated with the Jagannatha tradition in the Chilika region.
Explore Sites →
Culture
Living Heritage
Jala Ratha Yatra • Sri Jagannatha Mahotschhab • Chilka Arati • Nanda Utsav • 24 Besha
Heritage has been carried beyond physical sites through continuing cultural, spiritual and community programmes.
Explore Traditions →
Community
Community Participation & Honouring Service
Villagers • Volunteers • Youth • Boat Communities • Local Institutions
The heritage initiatives encourage local participation and collective responsibility in organising, preserving and sustaining cultural activities.
Through initiatives such as the annual Sri Jagannatha Sanman, the Trust recognises retired teachers, social workers, researchers, writers and spiritual contributors.
View Initiatives →
Education
Education & Youth
Students • Internships • Spiritual Learning • Scholarships
Students and young people participate through heritage internships, spiritual learning camps, volunteer activities and educational support initiatives such as the Bharat Charan Sahoo Medha Bruti.
View Initiatives →
Environment
Environmental Engagement
Plantation • Chilika Awareness • Community Participation
Environmental awareness is connected with cultural activities, including plantation initiatives and programmes linking the spiritual heritage of Chilika with the wellbeing of its communities and natural environment.
Explore →
Institutions
Institution Building
Sri Jagannatha Lilakhetra Trust • Sri Jagannatha Katha Lahari • Mandira Samanwoya Bikash Parishad • 31 Jagannatha Temples
The work has developed into institutions and networks intended to support the continuing preservation and transmission of Jagannatha culture.
View Institutions →A Documented Journey
Academic Foundation
Ph.D. from Berhampur University.
Heritage Research
Beginning of sustained heritage research and field initiatives.
Heritage Revival Begins
Revival initiatives at Lord Harihareswara Temple, Nairi, and Bhumi Puja at Kankanashikhari.
Nandighosha Chaka Documentary Milestone
Sri Jagannatha Temple Managing Committee proceedings concerning the provision of a sacred Nandighosha Ratha wheel for the heritage context.
Jala Ratha Yatra
Continuing development of a distinctive water-based Jagannatha cultural tradition on Chilika.
Sri Jagannatha Mahotschhab
Beginning of the annual cultural and spiritual celebration at Kankanashikhari.
Sri Jagannatha Katha Lahari
Expansion of organised spiritual and cultural activities.
31-Temple Institutional Initiative
Formation of the Mandira Samanwoya Bikash Parishad.
Endowment Index Documentation
Official Endowment Index documentation relating to Lilakhetra Kankanashikhari, recorded in the name of Dr. Susant Kumar Sahoo.
24 Besha
Presentation of 24 Besha of Lord Jagannatha crafted from neem wood.
Continuing Heritage & Community Work
12th Jala Ratha Yatra, Nanda Utsav, student programmes, community initiatives and continuing institutional activities.
From Research to Future Generations
The objective is not only to preserve the past, but to transform heritage into a living resource for community, education and future generations.
From Heritage Revival to Community Development
Building Institutions • Sustaining Living Culture • Empowering Communities
Revival • 2015
Kankanashikhari
State-Level Cultural Platform
Institutional Collaboration
Constituency-Level Platform
31 Directly Connected
NCC • Scouts Rover-Ranger
Fishermen • Boat Communities
From Balugaon College
Explore the Full Journey
From research and documentation to physical revival, living culture, community participation, education and institution building, the journey continues for future generations.
View the Documented Timeline → Community & Institutions →