Bhubaneswar: In a time when grand temples and elaborate Rath Yatra celebrations draw thousands of devotees, a small village in Mayurbhanj district offers a powerful reminder that true devotion transcends grandeur. For the past 38 years, the deities of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra have been worshipped under a simple shelter made of…
Bhubaneswar: Spectacular underwater visuals captured by divers beneath the Mahanadi River near Nandikeswari Path on the Cuttack–Choudwar stretch have revealed massive rocky formations resting quietly on the riverbed. Resembling submerged hills or cliffs, the formations have sparked curiosity about the geological history hidden beneath one of Odisha’s most important rivers. At first glance, the enormous…
Bhubaneswar: The traditional Kapadaganda textile and Linga wall motifs of the Dongria Kondh from the Niyamgiri Hills have gained widespread recognition for preserving one of Odisha’s oldest living tribal artistic traditions. The recognition of Kapadaganda with a Geographical Indication (GI) Tag has helped showcase this indigenous craft on national and international platforms while strengthening efforts…
Bhubaneswar: Residents of Puri will soon be able to avail a special darshan facility at the revered Jagannath Temple (Srimandir) through a new Aadhaar-based entry system designed to provide a more convenient and streamlined temple visit experience. The initiative is being developed in collaboration with the Odisha Computer Application Centre (OCAC) and aims to enable…
Bhubaneswar: Odisha Police has put in place an extensive security and crowd-management plan for the upcoming Debasnana Purnima celebrations in Puri, with 72 platoons of police personnel set to be deployed to ensure the smooth conduct of the annual ritual on June 29. Director General of Police Yogesh Bahadur Khurania recently reviewed the security, traffic,…
Bhubaneswar: In a unique blend of cultural celebration and economic empowerment, the Odisha Government’s Mission Shakti Department has launched ‘Pitha on Wheels’, a mobile food initiative aimed at promoting traditional Odia cuisine while creating greater market opportunities for women entrepreneurs during the Raja Festival. The initiative features specially designed vehicles that travel to different locations,…
Bhubaneswar: The decision to remove the word “Dham” from the Jagannath project in Digha and rename it as the Digha Jagannath Cultural Centre has been welcomed by many devotees and stakeholders who had expressed concerns over preserving the unique spiritual identity of Puri. For centuries, Jagannath Temple in Puri has been revered as Jagannath Dham,…
Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s tourism sector is witnessing remarkable growth, with more than 56 lakh tourists visiting the state between January and May 2026. The surge in arrivals reflects the state’s expanding appeal as it strengthens its position as one of India’s fastest-growing tourism destinations. Leading the growth is the temple town of Puri, which registered a…
Bhubaneswar: In a significant step towards promoting inclusive education, the Odisha government has decided to introduce Plus II Science education in the Odia language from the current academic session. The initiative aims to make science learning more accessible to students from Odia-medium schools and encourage greater participation in science streams. Under the new policy, students…
Bhubaneswar: Renovation and beautification works at the Gundicha Temple are progressing rapidly, with the Shri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) aiming to complete all restoration projects before the upcoming Ratha Yatra. SJTA Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee reviewed the ongoing development works at the temple premises along with senior officials on Tuesday. The team inspected various infrastructure…