Festivals & Events News Updates

According to sources, as many as 180 platoons of police force will be deployed in Puri for the smooth and timely conduct of the Rath Yatra, which will see a footfall of lakhs of devotees from across the globe. 

Raja festival is celebrated for three days. The first day of the festival is called ‘Pahili Raja’, the second day is called ‘Majhi Raja’ ‘Raja Sankranti’ or ‘Mithuna Sankranti’, the third day is ‘Bhudaha’ or ‘Basi Raja’ or ‘Sesha Raja’.

Raja festival, which usually falls on June 14, is dedicated to girls and women. The festival gets its name from Sanskrit word ‘Rajas’, which means menstruation. And the word ‘Rajaswala’ means a menstruating woman.

Raja festival ideally falls on June 14 and is a three-day affair. These three days are called differently. While the first day is called ‘Pahili Raja’, the second day is called ‘Majhi Raja’ or ‘Raja Sankranti’ or ‘Mithuna Sankranti’ and the third day is ‘Sesha Raja’ or ‘Bhudaha’ or ‘Basi Raja

‘Paan’ is a mouth freshener. A normal ‘paan’ is wrapped in a conical shape with all pan masala and chopped areca nut inside it. But the ‘Raja paan’ is wrapped in a triangular shape.

Raja festival is the only festival that celebrates womanhood and menstruation. Menstruation is viewed as a blessing of giving new life. During this festival, women are given due respect and it reminds that menstruation shouldn’t be treated as taboo. 

The district and temple administrations have been asked to make special arrangements for the early darshan of the deity by old, physically disabled and differently-abled persons, women and children.

Since the shows are devoid of performances by animals or birds, its mainstay is breathtaking Russian Rope items and jaw-dropping gymnastic items by foreigners.

Food standards form the bedrock of trust as most of us read food packaging labels to see what ingredients the product contains or how to cook it.

Meet Prasant Behera of Nilagiri in Balasore, who has made a bicycle his companion for the last 60 years. It is not that Behera cannot afford a motorbike or car, but he preferred a bicycle to luxury as it contributes to a better climate and keeps him fit.

It is believed that the devotees can avail the same blessings and fortune of Lord Jagannath darshan by having the darshan of Lord Alarnath.   

A Rajasthan devotee while witnessing the bathing rituals of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra in the temple fell ill and collapsed on the ground.

A Jagannath Temple Police (JTP) personnel first spotted the blood stains and reported it to the servitors. It is suspected that any servitor might have sustained injuries during observation of ‘Deva Snana’ rituals. 

Once used as a means of transportation, the bicycle has now elevated itself to the position where it can help people get rid of a lethargic lifestyle.

For 'Bahuta Kanta' ritual, darshan for the devotees will be suspended from 6 am to 2 pm on Saturday.