3+ week, 5+ day ago (203+ words) Home " CM Majhi to Inaugurate Kalinga Bali Yatra in Paradip Today Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi will inaugurate the much-awaited Kalinga Bali Yatra today in Paradip, marking the beginning of one of Odisha's most vibrant cultural festivals. The district administration has completed all preparations for the event, which draws thousands of visitors each year. CM Majhi will also launch the Boita Bandana Utsav, organized by Paradip Port, adding further significance to the occasion. The Governor of Odisha is expected to attend the valedictory ceremony. Senior officials including DIG Satyajit Mohanty, District Collector J Sonal, and SP Ankit Kumar Verma inspected the venue and coordinated with departments to ensure smooth execution. Authorities have arranged route marches, helipad access, control rooms, and traffic management systems. Security has been tightened with the deployment of 21 platoons of force and 40 officers. Additional personnel from other…...

1+ week, 4+ day ago (288+ words) Home " Three-Day Dev Deepawali Rituals Begin at Puri Srimandir: Significance, Traditions & Key Highlights The sacred three-day Dev Deepawali rituals commenced on Wednesday at the iconic Jagannath Temple in Puri as the holy month of Margasira entered Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi. This auspicious period marks a deeply revered time when Lord Jagannath, along with Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, observes rituals dedicated to divine ancestors. During the Dev Deepawali period, the Holy Trinity adorns the Shraddha Besha, symbolizing devotion and respect for ancestral divinity. Special lamps are offered as part of the seasonal observances. Traditionally, the deities perform Deepadan and Shraddha for different divine ancestors over the three days: Chaturdashi: Aditi and Kashyapa Amavasya: King Dasharatha and Queen Kausalya After the Dwipahara Dhoopa, devotees witness the deities in their Shraddha attire. In the evening, following the Sandhya Dhoopa, three grand ceremonial lamps…...

1+ week, 1+ day ago (220+ words) Home " President Murmu Highlights Role of Spiritual Organisations in Nation-Building at Puttaparthi President of India Droupadi Murmu graced the special session commemorating the centenary celebration of Sri Sathya Sai Baba at Prasanthi Nilayam, Andhra Pradesh. Addressing the gathering, the President emphasised that since ancient times, saints and sages have guided society through their actions and words. She stated that Sri Sathya Sai Baba holds a special place among such great personalities, dedicating his life to the welfare of society. President Murmu noted that Sathya Sai Baba strongly believed "service to humanity is service to God. Consequently, he linked spirituality with selfless service and personal transformation, inspiring millions to follow the path of service. The President praised the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust for providing free, high-quality education that combines academic excellence with character-building. She further acknowledged the Trust's initiatives in…...

18+ hour, 27+ min ago (164+ words) Home " Puri Srimandir's Ananda Bazar Still Sans Price List for Mahaprasad Efforts to bring order to the Shree Jagannath Temple continue with regular meetings of the Management Committee, where several important decisions are being made. However, devotees' interests seem to be overlooked. In the recent meeting held last Friday, no decision was taken on displaying a price list for Mahaprasad at Ananda Bazar, leading to widespread dissatisfaction among the devotees visiting the temple. At Ananda Bazar, Mahaprasad is often sold at prices higher than the actual value, and the temple administration has failed to control this, further fueling discontent. Devotees are demanding the immediate installation of a price list to prevent overcharging. It was announced by the temple administration that Ananda Bazar would be streamlined, with a Mahaprasad price list displayed after the Kartik month, ensuring devotees are not cheated…...

3+ week, 6+ day ago (376+ words) Home " Thousands of Devotees Flock to Temples for "Bada Osha; Tight Security at Dhabaleswar Temple and Puri Srimandir On the final Monday of the sacred Kartika month, thousands of devotees thronged the Dhabaleswar Temple in Cuttack and the Jagannath Temple in Puri to observe the holy festival of "Bada Osha, a major celebration in Odishas Shaivite calendar. The revered Dhabaleswar shrine, situated on an island in the Mahanadi River, came alive with devotional chants, the sound of conch shells, and the scent of incense as devotees offered prayers to Lord Dhabaleswar, an incarnation of Lord Shiva. The deity was adorned in the divine "Bada Singhar besha (attire), symbolising grace, prosperity, and spiritual fulfilment. Temple rituals began as early as 4 am, with the ceremonial opening of the sanctum (pahadakholaa) followed by the ritual bath of the deity using 108 pitchers of holy…...

3+ week, 4+ day ago (324+ words) Home " Odisha Abounds in Cultural Splendour as Boita Bandana Festival Marks Kartik Purnima Odisha today embraced a vibrant celebration as lakhs of devotees across the state converged on rivers, ponds and coastal shores to observe the festival of Boita Bandana on the occasion of Kartik Purnima. The ritual-rich event commemorates the maritime legacy of ancient Kalinga, where Odia mariner-merchants (Sadhabas) sailed to far-flung lands in Southeast Asia. From early morning, large crowds gathered at water bodies including the historic Bindusagar in Bhubaneswar's Old Town and key river-front ghats in Cuttack such as Gadagadia Ghat on the Mahanadi and Debi Ghat on the Kathjodi. Many also assembled at the sea beach in Puri to participate in the ritual. Participants fashioned miniature boats out of banana stems, paper, thermocol and other locally available materials, decorating them with lamps, flowers, incense sticks, coins,…...

2+ week, 19+ hour ago (251+ words) Home " Puri's Grand Road to Glow with One Lakh Lamps on Dev Deepawali The sacred town of Srikshetra in Puri is set to be illuminated in a spectacular display during the upcoming Dev Deepawali festival. The iconic Badadanda (Grand Road) stretching from the Singhadwar of Srimandir to Gundicha Mandir will be adorned with one lakh lamps, creating a mesmerising ambience of light and devotion. In a press conference held at Puri's Gangamata Math, representatives from Shri Jagannath Seva Sansthan urged devotees and residents to join the celebrations by lighting lamps in various Jagannath temples and their own homes. This collective effort aims to honor the divine occasion and foster a sense of community participation. The Dev Deepawali rituals will be observed over three days at Srimandir, from November 19 to 21. During this period, Mahaprabhu (Lord Jagannath) will perform the sacred act…...

2+ week, 3+ day ago (256+ words) Home " Governor Calls Bali Yatra a Symbol of Odisha's Eternal Spirit and Global Harmony Odisha Governor Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati on Wednesday said that the historic Bali Yatra festival carries a timeless message for humanity " that the seas were never meant to divide, but to connect. Speaking at the Valedictory Ceremony of the Historical Bali Yatra in Cuttack, he said the festival stands as a living symbol of goodwill, unity, and shared prosperity. Recalling the maritime heritage of Kalinga, Dr. Kambhampati said the brave seafarers once sailed from the banks of the Mahanadi to distant lands such as Sri Lanka, Java, Sumatra, Bali, and Cambodia, carrying not only goods but also the light of art, language, and faith. Their voyages, he said, proved that the sea is a bridge linking hearts and civilisations. Calling Balijatra a "mirror of the Odia…...

1+ week, 6+ day ago (279+ words) Pragativadi | Odisha's Trusted News Source in English Pragativadi is a leading digital news organization committed to delivering timely, accurate, and culturally resonant coverage from Odisha and beyond. With a strong editorial focus on public interest journalism, Pragativadi bridges the gap between official communications and everyday readers'translating complex government updates, institutional developments, and regional events into clear, accessible narratives. Founded with the mission to empower informed citizenship, Pragativadi specializes in: " Breaking News & Updates: Real-time coverage of politics, governance, education, infrastructure, and law enforcement. " Digital Optimization: SEO-driven headlines, meta descriptions, and social media content tailored for maximum reach and engagement. " Government & Institutional Reporting: Trusted by public agencies for accurate dissemination of press releases and policy updates. " Cultural & Heritage Coverage: Deeply rooted in Odisha's traditions, Pragativadi highlights festivals, arts, and local voices. " Analytics-Informed Strategy: Editorial decisions guided by audience insights and performance metrics....

3+ week, 6+ day ago (243+ words) Home " Odisha DGP Reviews Crowd Management at Puri Srimandir Amid Panchuka Festivities Odisha's Director General of Police (DGP), Yogesh Bahadur Khurania, visited the Sri Jagannath Temple in Puri on Sunday to assess the situation following a chaotic stampede-like scenario outside the temple on the first day of the Panchuka festival. Accompanied by key officials, including Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Chief Administrator Dr. Arabinda Padhee, District Collector Dibyajyoti Parida, Central Range DIG Satyajit Naik, and Superintendent of Police Prateek Singh, the DGP conducted a comprehensive review to ensure smooth operations for the remaining three days of the festival. The visit came in response to the massive influx of devotees on the opening day, where lakhs gathered to witness Lord Jagannath in his Laxmi Narayan besha (attire). Darshan (viewing of the deity) extended until 11:30 PM to accommodate the crowds, highlighting the…...