Origin & Antiquity of the Cult of Lord Jagannath

In the Rig-Veda, 10.155.3, there is mention of a Daru (log of wood) floating in the ocean. Vedic prayers have indicated for taking shelter in the Daru.

In spite of the fact that Acharya Sayana, the noted commentator on the Vedas, has categorically interpreted the hymn with Jagannath as the Daru floating at the sea shores, some scholars have refuted this interpretation under the argument that the hymn deals with 'Alaxmi Stava' of Arayi.