Puri Jagannath Temple’s Ratna Bhandar Unlocked After 46 Years
According to media reports, this treasury holds precious gold and diamond jewelry offered to Lord Jagannath. The Magazine, an Odisha-based publication, noted that King Anangabhima Dev donated 2.5 lakh madhas of gold to create jewelry for the deity. The Ratna Bhandar consists of two chambers: the Bhitar Bhandar (inner treasury) and the Bahar Bhandar (outer treasury). The outer treasury houses three gold necklaces (Haridakanthi Mali), each weighing 120 tolas. Additionally, the Suna Sribhuja and Sri Payar of Lord Jagannath and Bahabhadra are also stored here. The inner treasury reportedly contains around 74...
Odisha Enforces Ban on Single-Use Plastics Starting April 1
In a significant move, Odisha has decided to prohibit the use of single-use plastics within its eco-tourism destinations, sanctuaries, and other conservation areas. The Odisha Forest Department has initiated this stringent measure to uphold the ecological integrity of its sanctuaries, national parks, and tiger reserves. Susanta Nanda, Odisha's Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden, announced the complete ban on single-use plastic entry into these conservation zones in an official statement released on Monday. From April 1, 2024, they will actively enforce this prohibition. The directive explicitly prohibits...