Odisha’s bitter food battle with Bengal

Odisha’s bitter food battle with Bengal

Did Bengal’s Rosogolla come first or Odisha’s Rasagola beat it to become the first of its kind? Odisha government began work on claiming the Geographical Identification (GI) for the sweet in 2015. However, later, West Bengal got the GI tag for ‘Bengal’s Rosogolla’ as something that was invented Nobin Chandra…

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From Clay Moulds to Devi

From Clay Moulds to Devi

In the age of modernity, puja committees elsewhere in the country are experimenting with the look and theme of Maa Durga, but those in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar have their trust ingrained in the time-honoured traditions. One such tradition lies with the divine face of the Goddess, which has remained unchanged…

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A ‘Paika’ celebration sans religious bias

A ‘Paika’ celebration sans religious bias

Paika Nrutya is an integral part of Durga Puja celebration in villages of Khurda district DUSSEHRA is unique to Khurda in more ways than one. The autumn festival not only breathes in a new lease of life into the dying Paika Akhadas in the district, it also unites both Hindus…

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Royal Traditions

Royal Traditions

Royal families of Odisha continue to celebrate Durga Puja with complete adherence to its unique rituals IN a red saree and decked up in golden ornaments, Goddess Kanak Durga looks resplendent in the illuminated temple on the premises of recently renovated Nilagiri Palace. Every autumn, the palace that was constructed…

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Shakti cult in Ekamra Kshetra

Shakti cult in Ekamra Kshetra

Considered a great centre of Shaivism, Bhubaneswar is also home to several Shakti shrines. In fact, the earliest form of Shakti worship in Odisha in the form of Stambhesvari is there at Bhubaneswar’s Bhuasuni temple. According to ancient scriptures, it was during the Bhauma period that Shaktism first made its…

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One Celebration, Many Hues

One Celebration, Many Hues

Tribals are an important part of Rath Yatra in districts like Kalahandi, Keonjhar and Koraput while, different traditions mark the festivities at Balasore and Sambalpur RATH Yatra has many shades in Odisha. Although the celebration at Puri is famous worldwide, the nine-day festival elsewhere in the State is an equally…

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