Bhubaneswar:  The 588^th  Coronation day of the Great Suryavamsi King Gajapati Kapilendra Deva  was celebrated at  Cuttack and  Bhubaneswar by different cultural groups. The event was commemorated at Kapali Mutt near Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar and the Bada Thakura Temple of Gopinathpur Sasana village at Jagatpur Block of Cuttack jointly by the Rediscover Lost Heritage (RLH Group), Maa Jageswari Club, Silver City Cuttack (SCC) Public Charitable Trust & Indian National Trust for Art & Cultural Heritage (INTACH), Bhubaneswar Chapter. The groups had started celebrating of the coronation since the last year.

Speaking on the occasion, Deepak Kumar Nayak, Heritage Researcher & Founder Member of RLH group said that Gajapati Kapilendra Deva was undoubtedly the greatest King from Odisha after Mahameghavahana Aira Kharavela. He established the large Odia Kingdom that spanned over a vast region from  the Ganga  in North  to Kaveri  in South. As per available historical information,  his  coronation took place on the 29^th  of June  1435 CE. Unfortunately, Indian history has not given  due credit and accolades that this great emperor deserves. Historic places having connection with Gajapati Kapilendra Deva’s reign have been selected to celebrate this historic day.

According to local lore, the Gajapati’s coronation happened at the Papanasini Temple. An image depicting a royal procession is fixed at wall of Kapali Mutt which contains an Odia inscription mentioning name of ‘Kapileswara Deba Raja’ (Kapilendra Deva)  and his 17th regnal year.  Similarly, at the Bada Thakura Temple in Gopinathpur Sasana village of Cuttack, a stone inscription containing 30 lines written in Odia sheds light on the Digbijaya (military) glory of the celebrated emperor. This Sasana village had been established by Gopinath Mahapatra, a warrior minister of Kapilendra Deva. The temple had been demolished during the Moghul invasion.

Anil Dhir, the Convenor of INTACH Bhubaneswar Chapter has said that Odishan history text books need a revamp in showcasing Odia pride and contributions of medieval era Gajapati Kings. History curriculum should give more focus on highlighting the success and contributions of Gajapati kings like Narasingha Deva, Kapilendra Deva, Mukunda Deva, Ramachandra Deva I etc. The places where the commemorations were held are in an extremely pathetic and neglected state.  Both the inscription slabs are exposed to weathering and that have already eroded to a great extent.

Dr. Biswajit Mohanty was surprised that the work on renovating the   demolished temple at Gopinathpur was started by the State Archaeology Department, but surprisingly it was stopped mid-way. The State Archaeology Department should work actively for the proper conservation of these two historic sites related to the great emperor, Mohanty  said.

Akash Pattanayak, the President of Silver City Cuttack Public Charitable Trust  and  Prafulla Kumar Swain,  member of Maa Jageswari Club have demanded for the erection of statues of Gajapati Kapilendra Deva both at  Cuttack  and  Bhubaneswar as the sign of Odia pride and glory.

CM Inaugurates Kalinga Art Gallery and Five Regional Art Galleries

Kalinga Art Gallery Will Be a Power House Of Art And Artists

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik today inaugurated Kalinga Art Gallery and five Regional Art Galleries. The Kalinga Art Gallery is the largest Art Gallery of the State placed in the premises of the State Museum. The five Regional Art Galleries have been set up in five districts namely, Chhatrapur (Ganjam), Puri, Balasore, Sambalpur and Koraput. The Odisha Lalit Kala Akademy has taken the initiative for the establishment of these art galleries.

Attending the function on virtual mode, the Chief Minister announced that a world-class museum complex will soon come up in the State. He said that he has directed the Department of Odia Language, Literature & Culture to develop a comprehensive master plan for a world class museum complex with different facilities for history, art and culture.

Highlighting the cultural glory of the State, the Chief Minister said that Odisha is a great repository of rich cultural and artistic heritage. We have unique traditions of painting, architecture, sculpture and handicrafts that reflects a long diverse cultural heritage. Art runs in our blood, ingrained in our mind. We owe a responsibility to our artistic traditions and should do everything to protect, conserve and promote this unique tradition, he added.

He further said that the Kalinga Art Gallery will be a power house of art and artists of the state. It will be a confluence of artists from different regions including artists of national and international repute. It will also help art loving citizens and tourists to learn about our glorious artistic traditions, he added.

The CM said that Regional Art Galleries at five districts will encourage local artists to display their artistic creativity and promote local art forms. These galleries will be a focal point of interaction among our young and budding artists, help them learn and evolve over the time.

Joining the programme, Minister of Tourism, Odia Language, Literature & Culture Shri Jyoti Prakash panigrahi said that these art galleries will provide a great boost to our artists.president odisha lalita Akademy Sri Sudarsan patnaik also spoke on the occasion. .

Secretary to Chief Minister (5-T) Shri V.K. Pandian moderated the programme. Development Commissioner Shri P.K. Jena gave the welcome address. Director of Culture offered the vote of thanks.

Houston: The Fourth largest city of USA, Houston witnessed the celebration of 14th Annual Car Festival with pomp and splendour. The religious rituals commenced at the wee hours of the day with a pious and spiritual fervour. The worshipping, recitals of hymns, conduction of Yagna, reading of Bhagvad Gita, Jagannathashtakam, Gita Govinda and Dasavataar were held as per the traditional norms before the four deities.

To mark the auspicious occasion the entire structure of Odisha Culture Center at 3101, Fuqua Street where Lord Jagannath, Elder Brother Lord Balavadra, Goddess Subhadra and Lord Sudarshan were presently stationed, has been colourfully decked up. In the noon, the deities were offered 56 types of Bhog specially cooked at the state of the art kitchen in the center namely Ananda Bazar.

The Pahandi procession of the deities got started around 7 p.m. in the evening with the roaring of slogans like haribol, Jai Jagannath, sounding of Huluhuli, blowing of conch and playing of musical instruments such as Ghanta, Kartala, Mardal, Jhanja and mrudanga. The deities were majestically placed in the aesthetically decorated chariot. Around 7.30. p.m. in the evening Bansidhar Lenka from Bhubaneswar conducted the traditional sweeping of chariots called chhera pahanra.

After that amidst the kirtan and singing of bhajans and jananas the chariot was pulled to the Aunt’s House known as Gundicha Temple by 500 devotees assembled at the centre premises. The Consulate General of India based at Houston His Excellency Aseem Mahajan and Chairman of Sitaram Foundation Arun Verma graced the Ceremony as distinguished Guests. The highlight of the Event was the opening up of a health camp by the local physicians.

The special attraction of the Evening was the presentation of a colourful cultural jamboori consisting of scintillating dance performances in Odissi, Kathak, Bharatnatyam and Sambalpuri styles by upcoming and established artistes. Hosted by OCC the massive success of the Mega Event was possible and practicable due to the able and active stewardships of its Chairman Dr. Aditya Samal and President Dr. Debananda Pati.

Puri: Keeping the upward trend of 2nd wave of COVID-19 in mind , Sri Jagannath temple Adminstration today decided that Shree Jagannath Temple will remain closed for Darshan of Lords by the public till 15th June. But all the daily rituals of Lords will continue with help of Sevayats and Temple officials.

Today, a review meeting was chaired by Dr Krishan Kumar, Chief Administrator, where Samarth Verma Collector, Puri, Additional S.P., Puri and temple officials have attended.

The challenges posed by Covid19 are still persisting. In the meantime, Niti-Kanti of Mahaprabhu is going on as per age old traditions. Chandana Yatra has also started as per customs without participation of any devotees and with large number of precautions for management of COVID-19 amongst Sevaks and officials, the SJTA said in a press release.

All were of the unanimous view that necessary precautionary measures should continue, to ensure continuity of age-old traditions of Niti-Kanti (rituals) of Mahaprabhu Shree Jagannath and keeping in mind the ongoing festival season, administration said.

Any spread of COVID-19 amongst Sevayat families during these times will be detrimental to the observance of daily Niti-Kanti and for ensuring observance of rituals of Chandan Yatra, Sanan Yatra and Ratha Yatra. So It was decided to review the SOP from time to time, keeping in view the evolving situation, the administration said.

Puri: The auspicious chandan yatra started from today in compliance to COVID-19 restriction and in absence of devotees. It is the longest of all Yatras observed at Shree Jagannath temple at Puri.

Chandana Yatra means that the Sandalwood Voyage of the Lord, is observed to beat the heat of summer. This Yatra continues for 42 days and is observed in two parts: Bahara Chandana and Bhitara Chandana, each of 21 days.

In Bahara Chandan Yatra, everyday ceremonial procession of the Bije Pratimas ( representative images) of the deities i.e, Rama, Krishna, Madan Mohan, Sridevi and Bhudevi are taken to the holy Narendra Tank.

The five Mahadevs known as Pancha Mahadev, namely Shri Yameshwar, Shri Lokanath, Shri Markandaya, Shri Kapal Mochan and Shri Nilakantha, accompany the Bije Pratimas in the procession and also in chapa or the boat ride at holy Narendra Tank.

Bhitara Chandan Yatra: The next 21 days have rituals which are held inside the temple itself. Instead of the daily cruises, the Jala-krida inside ShreeMandir happens here mainly on four occasions, the Jaistha krishna pakhya ekadashi, Savitri Amavasya, Sitala Shashti and Rukmini harana Ekadashi. The rituals of Sarbanga Chandan lagi and alata lagi is also performed.

Puri: Chhatisa Nijog meeting was held today under the Chairmanship of Dr. Krishan Kumar, Chief Administrator, SJTA. The meeting was attended by Shri samarth verma Collector, Puri & Dr. Kanwar Vishal Singh SPPuri, Temple officials & the Nijog members.

Focus was laid on measures to be taken to ensure all Niti-Kanti of Mahaprabhu are performed with complete devotion, following the COVID protocols; setting an example for people to follow. Provisions will also be made for COVID testing for sevayats involved in various rituals.

The rituals for Chandan Yatra & start of construction of Rathas (chariots) will begin on the auspicious day of Akshay Trutiya i.e 15th May with minimum number of Sevayats who are required for conduct of rituals. There will be no participation of devotees/ general public.