Thiruvananthapuram: The Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple, one of South India’s most revered pilgrimage centres, will open Sunday at 5 p.m. for the Mandala-Makaravilakku festival season, marking the beginning of the Kartika month. With lakhs of devotees preparing for the annual pilgrimage, authorities have put in place strict crowd-management measures, digital booking systems, and enhanced security arrangements. The Mandala...

New Delhi: The driver of the Hyundai i20 car that exploded near Delhi's Red Fort metro station on November 10 received Rs 20 lakh through illegal financial channels, sources revealed Sunday. A white Hyundai i20 exploded near a traffic signal on Netaji Subhash Marg, close to the Red Fort metro station's Gate No. 1, which left at...

Pottangi: The neighbouring state of Andhra Pradesh has again entered the Kotia panchayat under Pottangi block in the Koraput district, continuing a pattern of repeated incursions. The latest incident occurred Friday, reigniting local resentment over Andhra’s ongoing activities inside Odisha’s border villages. According to reports, Andhra authorities have been frequently entering the disputed Kotia region and attempting...

Kendrapara: Potato farmers in this district are facing a severe seed shortage as the government supply has yet to reach them, even after the start of November. Many have been forced to buy seeds from private markets at high prices, raising concerns about crop success and production costs. Despite the district consuming over 600 quintals of potatoes...

Hatadihi: Days after Nandipada police in Keonjhar district seized 18 Hyva trucks and a tractor carrying illegally mined sand, two alleged sand smugglers have been arrested in connection with the case, police said Saturday. Police had seized the illegally mined sand-laden vehicles November 10 and registered 19 cases in this connection. Nandipada police inspector-in-charge Dharmendra Shanti said...

Berhampur: Police Saturday conducted a Test Identification (TI) parade for eight accused lodged in the Berhampur Circle Jail in connection with the murder of advocate and BJP leader Pitabas Panda. A magistrate, a police official, and two eyewitnesses entered the jail to identify the suspects. Those who took part in the TI parade include alleged sharpshooters Kurupati...

Bhanjanagar: Miscreants allegedly decamped with four Radha-Krishna idols made of ‘Ashtadhatu’ (eight metals) and two idols of dancers, all estimated to be around 300 years old, from Narayan Swami temple established by the Bhanja royal family at Narayanpatna under Tarasingh police limits in Ganjam district late Friday night. The stolen items are estimated to be worth more...

MV-79: In a bizarre bid to impress their girlfriends with Apple iPhones, two youths from Telangana ended up in police custody after being caught smuggling ganja in Malkangiri district, officials said Saturday. The accused, T. Trinath Kumar and B. Yuvacharan Aditya, both from Khammam district, were intercepted by an MV-79 police patrol team near Lachhipeta Square while...

Harbhanga: A police constable was bludgeoned to death by a co-villager at Jajpur village under Purunakatak police limits in Boudh district, police officials said Saturday. The accused, identified as Sanjaya Nayak, has been arrested, they added. The deceased was identified as Uday Ranjan Pattnaik, 54, a native of Jajpur, Balisahi, under Purunakatak police limits. Posted as a...

Rajnagar: Forest officials arrested 19 fishermen and seized two trawlers for allegedly fishing illegally in the prohibited waters of Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary. Acting on the direction of Assistant Conservator of Forests Manas Kumar Das, a patrol team led by Deputy Ranger Kapilendra Pradhan and Foresters Mahanta Kumar Mallik and Sanjib Kumar Das intercepted the vessels, FB Debi...