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: 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: National Institute of Technology Rourkela researchers have developed an innovative smart wound dressing that aims to reduce infection, minimize pain during dressing changes, and accelerate the healing process. The advanced dressing combines chitosan-coated gauze with a nanofibrous layer infused with curcumin, the natural bioactive compound found in turmeric known for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory…
Bhubaneswar: Ahead of Rath Yatra 2026, the Housing and Urban Development Department, Government of Odisha has prohibited the distribution of cooked food along Bada Danda, permitting only dry and packaged food items to be served to devotees during the festival. The decision has been taken to maintain strict sanitation, hygiene, and public health standards as…
Bhubaneswar: The Government of Odisha has announced a major cultural initiative to promote the timeless values of the Lakshmi Purana by distributing around one crore copies of the classic text across the state. The initiative is intended to spread its enduring message of women’s empowerment, social equality, and cleanliness while preserving and promoting Odisha’s rich…
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: West Bengal is set to add a striking new landmark to its skyline with the installation of a 60-foot-tall statue of Maa Durga along the Hooghly riverfront at Ramkrishnapur Ghat in Howrah. The project forms part of an ambitious riverfront redevelopment initiative aimed at enhancing tourism, beautifying public spaces and celebrating the state’s rich…
Bhubaneswar: Raja is much more than a festival. It is a profound cultural tradition that carries a message society still struggles to embrace openly—that menstruation is natural, periods are not a taboo, and the power to create life deserves respect rather than stigma. Long before conversations about menstrual health, gender equality and bodily autonomy entered…
Bhubaneswar: The third edition of the Bhubaneswar Film Festival (BFF) is set to be held from June 25 to 28 at Jayadev Bhawan, bringing together a diverse selection of acclaimed films from various Indian languages as well as international cinema. The festival aims to celebrate the art of filmmaking, promote cultural exchange and provide a…