New Delhi: Activist Sonam Wangchuk has ruled out ending his indefinite hunger strike despite appeals from political leaders and supporters, saying breaking the fast without any response from the government would send the wrong message. "If I eat, what message will go? The message to the government will be that there is no need for accountability. Protesters...

Puri: The Rath Yatra Pahandi ritual began Thursday with the ceremonial procession of Lord Sudarshan, with Lord Balabhadra's Pahandi now underway. Thereafter, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath will be taken to their respective chariots in the prescribed ritual sequence. The procession commenced after servitors performed the traditional 'Rath Pratistha Puja' of the three majestic chariots, marking the...

New Delhi/Puri: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday extended greetings on the Jagannath Rath Yatra, calling it a "radiant expression" of the country's spiritual and cultural heritage and wishing for peace and prosperity in society. In a post on X, PM Modi said, "Greetings to everyone on the sacred occasion of Rath Yatra. This is a radiant expression...

Dubai: The United States intensified its strikes targeting Iran early Thursday, hitting targets further north as American forces also fired into a ship it accused of trying to break its naval blockade on the Islamic Republic. Iran retaliated with missile and drone fire targeting Bahrain and Kuwait before dawn. Days of back-and-forth strikes by the US and...

New Delhi/Puri: President Droupadi Murmu Thursday greeted people on the occasion of Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra and prayed for prosperity of the country. During the annual yatra, chariots of Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath are pulled from Shri Jagannath temple to Shree Gundicha temple in Puri, Odisha. Lakhs of devotees gather to be part of...

By Dr Surendra Kumar Mishra Beneath the sacred, ancient city of Puri lies a legendary, unexplored network of subterranean tunnels. Once known as Purushottama Kshetra, this spiritual capital was protected by a labyrinth of secret passages linking the Gajapati royal palace with the iconic Srimandir and surrounding centuries-old monasteries (mutts). Until 1647, the Gajapati kings resided at...

Baripada: The number of tigers in Similipal Tiger Reserve has risen to 35, including 19 pseudo-melanistic (black) tigers, according to the latest camera-trap survey conducted by the Forest Department. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden Prem Kumar Jha said the survey identified 35 adult tigers in the reserve. The findings have been submitted...

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has extended greetings to all on the occasion of annual Rath Yatra beginning from Thursday, calling upon devotees visiting the holy town of Puri to celebrate the festival in a disciplined manner while abiding by all rules and regulations. In a video message, Chief Minister Majhi said, "After a year,...

Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has submitted an affidavit before the Supreme Court identifying 153 alleged violations involving the commercial use of residential properties, even as questions mount over the scale of unauthorised business activity across the state capital. The affidavit was filed in connection with a Supreme Court case brought by Rajendra Kumar Barjatya of...

Bhubaneswar: Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Wednesday inaugurated 30 newly constructed public urinal facilities at various locations across the City. The facilities have been opened for use by citizens, commuters, vendors and visitors as part of the civic body’s efforts to provide accessible, clean and convenient sanitation services. Officials said the initiative is part of a larger plan...