Bhubaneswar: Every year on August 7, India observes National Handloom Day to honour the country’s weavers and artisans, whose skills support rural livelihoods while preserving India’s rich cultural heritage. Prime Minister Narendra Modi encouraged citizens, particularly younger social-media users, to share “Get Ready With Me” (GRWM) reels featuring their favourite handloom outfits and products using…
Bhubaneswar: President Droupadi Murmu has approved the installation of the sacred wheels from the three Rath Yatra chariots at Rashtrapati Bhavan, adding another prominent symbol of Odisha’s cultural and spiritual heritage to the Presidential Estate. The proposal was announced by Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee, who said one wheel each from…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government has directed that ‘Vande Mataram’ be sung before the National Anthem, ‘Jana Gana Mana,’ at all government functions and in government as well as government-aided schools across the state. The directive follows guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs on July 9. The School and Mass Education Department has…
Bhubaneswar: A new light and sound show at the historic Khandagiri-Udayagiri caves is in its final stages of preparation. The show will recreate the legacy of Emperor Kharavela and the spread of Jainism through immersive visual projections on the rock-cut caves and a multi-channel sound system. Tourism Department, ASI and ITDC officials have reviewed the…
Bhubaneswar: The Puri district administration has declared a 5-kilometre radius around Puri city as a No-Flying Zone from July 16 to July 27, 2026, in view of the annual Rath Yatra festival. The order prohibits the operation of all drones and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) within the designated area to ensure public safety, maintain law…
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,…