The majority of the people are Hindus. The caste structure is the same as in other states of Eastern India, with some regional variations. Next to the Brahmins are the Karans (the writer class), who claimed Kshyatriya status (with the pen as their weapon rather than the sword). The Khandayats (Literally, "Swordsmen") are mostly cultivators but call them selves "Khandayats-Kshyatriyas". All casts look to Jagannath (one of the forms of the Hindu god Vishnu) as the center of their religious faith. For centuries Puri, the abode of Jagannath has been the only place in India where all casts, including the so-called untouchables eat together.