Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Commissionerate Police has issued detailed guidelines for Ganesh Puja 2026, urging organisers and devotees to ensure a safe and peaceful celebration. As per the guidelines, DJ music and crackers have been prohibited, while melody and cultural programmes will be permitted only until 10:00 pm. Idol immersion will be conducted on September 16,…
Bhubaneswar: The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has strengthened efforts to protect the shrine’s spiritual and cultural identity by securing intellectual property protection for three more names — ‘Shree Mandira’, ‘Ratna Bhandar’ and ‘Shree Nahar’. The applications have been accepted for publication by the Trade Marks Registry, marking the third phase of the temple’s trademark…
Bhubaneswar: In a significant administrative move, retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra has been appointed as the first full-time Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in Ayodhya. The appointment is aimed at strengthening the professional and administrative framework for managing the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple and its expanding operations. Mishra…
Bhubaneswar: Devotees visiting the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri can now experience a more comfortable environment during darshan, with the historic Nata Mandap equipped with an air-conditioning facility. The system, installed by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), became fully operational on Monday. The facility is expected to provide relief to devotees, particularly during periods…
Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has issued a strict warning against forced ‘chanda’ collections during the festival season and directed police to take immediate action against those involved in extortion. The warning comes amid reports of alleged extortion incidents in different parts of the state. In Jajpur district, a contractor was allegedly assaulted…
Bhubaneswar: A fresh controversy has erupted in Odisha over the upcoming animated film ‘Mahaprabhu Jagannath’, with Puri Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati calling for a ban on the movie ahead of its scheduled release on August 28. The Shankaracharya has raised objections to the animated depiction of Lord Jagannath and other deities, expressing concerns over how…
Bhubaneswar: Devotees and relatives of those affected by the devastating flash floods offered prayers at the Mahakaal Shani Bhagwan Temple on the occasion of Sawan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan. The prayers were held amid grief following a devastating natural disaster in central Nepal. An ice-rock avalanche triggered by a glacial collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border…
Bhubaneswar: At least seven people were killed and 14 others injured in a stampede near the Ashok Dham temple in Bihar’s Lakhisarai district, according to reports. The incident occurred at Ashok Dham Halt railway station, located a short distance from the temple, amid a heavy rush of devotees. Large numbers of pilgrims had gathered in…
Bhubaneswar: On the eve of the 80th Independence Day, actor Rituparna Sengupta, musician Bickram Ghosh, brand strategist Suhel Seth, industrialist Shishir Bajoria and Vijay Ojha, MLA, joined Chairman Sundeep Bhutoria for the Khuti Puja of 84th Manicktala Chaltabagan Lohapatty Durga Puja. The Khuti Puja was hosted by Sundeep Bhutoria, chairman of the iconic Manicktala Chaltabagan…
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…