Why did conquerors try to control the temple of Jagannatha at Puri?

Question

Philoid · Accepted Answer

The conquerors such as Mughals, Marathas and the English East India Company tried to control the temple of Jagannatha at Puri mainly because of:

1. The importance of Jagannatha temple increased continuously as a center of pilgrimage,

2. Its authority in social and political matters also increased simultaneously,

3. If they have control of the temple it would make the local people to accept their rules,

4. Most importantly, by gaining control over the temple they could access the huge wealth of the temple collected from the donations of the pilgrims.