Bhubaneswar: In a tragic incident that cast a shadow over the Rath Yatra festivities in Puri, three devotees—two women and one man—lost their lives in a stampede that occurred early Sunday morning on Saradhabali, near the Gundicha Temple. The stampede reportedly took place around 4:00 AM, shortly after the ‘Pahuda’ ritual was opened for public…
Puri: Against the vibrant backdrop of the annual Rath Yatra, the skies above Puri’s Light House Square turned into a canvas of color and celebration as a spectacular kite flying festival captivated tourists and devotees today. Organized by Planet Development Foundation (PDF) 2.0, a trust dedicated to people and planetary well-being, the event showcased an…
Bhubaneswar: The annual Rath Yatra in Puri witnessed an unexpected pause on Sunday as the pulling of the Nandighosa chariot—carrying Lord Jagannath—was suspended for the day due to heavy crowding near the chariot cordon. Despite the completion of rituals on time, the overwhelming number of devotees made it difficult to continue the procession safely. The…
Bhubaneswar: Amid mounting concerns over alleged irregularities in entrance exam scores, the Odisha government has put a temporary hold on all admission-related activities for B.Ed. (Arts/Science), B.H.Ed., and M.Ed. programmes for the academic year 2025–26. The decision, announced through a notification from the Higher Education Department, comes as the State Selection Board (SSB) initiates a…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Lift Irrigation Corporation (OLIC) has laid out an ambitious plan to bring irrigation facilities to nine lakh hectares of farmland across the state over the next five years. The announcement was made by OLIC Managing Director Swadha Dev Singh during a monthly review meeting with Executive Engineers from all districts. The initiative…
Bhubaneswar: To enhance Odisha’s maritime economy, the State Government has signed two major concession agreements aimed at enhancing port infrastructure and trade capabilities. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday announced that the state is committed to transforming Odisha into a maritime commerce hub by facilitating the development of new ports, jetties, and allied infrastructure across…
Bhubaneswar: With forecasts indicating heavy rainfall in several parts of Odisha, the Housing & Urban Development (H&UD) Department has issued a statewide alert to all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), urging them to step up preparedness and take immediate precautionary measures. Principal Secretary Smt. Usha Padhee has directed ULBs to remain vigilant and proactive in mitigating…
Bhubaneswar: In preparation for the world-famous Rath Yatra festival in Puri, the East Coast Railway (ECoR) has unveiled an unprecedented travel plan to accommodate the massive influx of devotees. A record 365 Special Trains will operate during the Rath Yatra period this year, connecting nearly every corner of Odisha and extending to major parts of…
Bhubaneswar/Rourkela: In a significant development for Odisha’s industrial and economic growth, a high-level meeting was convened to deliberate on the ambitious expansion of the Rourkela Steel Plant. The session witnessed the presence of Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram, and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Senior…
Bhubaneswar: As Odisha prepares for the world-renowned Rath Yatra in Puri, Reliance Industries Limited, in collaboration with the Puri district administration, has unveiled a large-scale initiative aimed at enhancing the comfort, safety, and overall experience of lakhs of devotees who will throng the coastal temple town to witness the sacred chariot procession of Lord Jagannath,…
