 Assimilation of tribal cult deities, such as Madhighariani, by Hindu incomers who sought to legitimise their rule and gain local support was a characteristic of the region.Throughout most of the history of the dynasty, the family has principally worshipped Durga as their deity but simultaneously adopted this practice of melding their own devotions with those of the populace.Vishwanath Dev (d. 1571), known as Maharajah Vishwanath Dev Gajapati became the king of Nandapur in 1527.His realm grew such that it stretched as far as Bengal in the north and Ellore in south, thus encompassing most of the territory once held by the Kalingas.