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Which religions are practiced by people in Odisha?
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Odisha
Jagannatha temple, Puri, Odisha, India.
The population of Odisha is predominantly Hindu, with Jagannatha—an incarnation of the god Vishnu—serving as a central figure of religious faith for all castes.12
Religious minorities also exist within the state:
- Muslims: They constitute the largest religious minority in most areas of Odisha.1
- Christians: This group represents a significant minority in specific administrative localities, including Sundargarh, Ganjam, Koraput, and Phulbani.1
It is important to note that in none of the state's districts does a single minority religion account for more than a small fraction of the total population. Additionally, many indigenous tribal peoples in the region have historically undergone a process of Hinduization, integrating local traditions into the broader religious landscape.1