Jagannath is undoubtedly a Hindu deity not a Buddhist one
Regarding the origins of Jagannath, some argue it was connected with Buddhists, jainism or even tribal roots, all these colonial era propagandas are intent to disassociate Jagannath from Hindu faith. Let analyse each & every claim critically. Swami Vivekanandas views misrepresented:- "...the temple of Jagannath is an old Buddhistic temple. We took this and others over and re-Hinduised them." Source: Lectures from Colombo to Almora (2008), Advaita Ashrama, pp 188-189 This statement itself shows people didn't read the statement properly look he said " Re-hinduised" which means it was once occupied by Buddhists from Hindus & later we again Re-hinduised it. Even this interpretation find support from Historical documents as well. Book Annals and Antiquities of the Temple of Jagannātha By Narayan Miśra said:- "the Buddhists "seized the Jagannath temple..and turned it into a shrine of their own under the system of Buddhist idolatry"...