Bhubaneswar: A dispute over ritual management has triggered fresh tensions at the revered Shree Jagannath Temple, with servitors responsible for preparing the temple’s sacred Mahaprasad warning they may suspend cooking if their demands are not addressed within a week. Members of the Suar-Mahasuar Nijog, the traditional servitor body entrusted with preparing Mahaprasad for the deities…
Bhubaneswar: Holi, the Hindu festival of colours, was celebrated across India on Wednesday, marking the arrival of spring with vibrant hues, music, and community gatherings. Observed on the last full moon of the Hindu luni-solar month of Falgun, the festival sees people dressed in white stepping into streets and courtyards to throw bright powders and…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS) has launched ‘Rangotsav-2026’ in Bhubaneswar, a week-long fair aimed at encouraging safe, eco-friendly Holi celebrations while strengthening women-led rural enterprises. The event showcases herbal abir (colours) prepared by women Self Help Groups (SHGs), alongside a diverse range of rural products including handicrafts, handloom items, and traditional…
Bhubaneswar: In a sustainable step ahead of Holi, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has introduced organic gulal made from recycled temple flower waste, offering a chemical-free and fragrant alternative to conventional colours. Officials said the civic body has been collecting discarded flowers from nearly 700 temples across the city over the past six months. The…
Bhubaneswar: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will implement key recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP 2020) and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE 2023) from the 2026–27 academic session, introducing a revised three-language structure beginning in Class 6. Under the new framework, students will study three languages, with at least…
Bhubaneswar: The Shree Jagannath Temple has announced special ritual arrangements in view of the Ketu-grasta lunar eclipse scheduled for March 3, coinciding with the auspicious festival of Dola Purnima. According to temple authorities, the eclipse is expected to touch Puri at 3:20:17 PM. In adherence to long-standing temple traditions, the preparation of Mahaprasad and all…
Bhubaneswar: The Union Cabinet’s approval of the proposal to rename Kerala as “Keralam” has triggered a broader political and cultural debate, with leaders across states renewing long-pending demands for similar changes. The move, which aligns the state’s official English nomenclature with its Malayalam identity, was initially viewed as an administrative correction. However, it has quickly…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has announced the establishment of a dedicated Chandua Bazaar in Pipili to rejuvenate the traditional applique craft sector that has faced setbacks following the construction of the NH-316 bypass. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi made the announcement during the presentation of the state budget, stating that the new market complex will…
Bhubaneswar: The Union Cabinet has approved a proposal to alter the name of the State of “Kerala” to “Keralam”, setting in motion the constitutional process required for a formal name change. Following Cabinet approval, the President of India will refer the proposed legislation — the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 — to the Kerala…
Bhubaneswar: The Ekamra Kshetra Amenities and Monuments Revival Action Plan, popularly known as the Ekamra Project, will be upgraded with new features and is targeted for completion by the 2026–27 financial year, the Odisha government has said. Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan informed that the revised plan will include an interpretation centre and a grand statue…