Nageswar Temple Andarpur Cuttack(Y642602)

                                      Wel Come To The Nageswar Temple Andarpur Cuttack

Prasant

Ravenshaw College Cuttack

Ravenshaw University came into existence on the 15th day of November, 2006. It was an upgradation of Ravenshaw College established in 1868, one of the oldest and largest colleges in India which subsequently became an autonomous college with CPE status by UGC and ‘A’ grade by NAAC. The College with all its glorious academic achievement and ceaseless scholastic pursuits had already created a distinct niche for itself in India and beyond. The history of this great institution is, in a manner of speaking, the history of modern Orissa. It was the cradle of ideas fostering national unity and nationalism, promoting social mobilization and gearing up the freedom struggle.The grand hall of this institution was a theatre of history: on the 1st of April'1936 it was the venue for the declaration of Orissa as a separate province; thereafter it housed the state's first legislative assembly up to and even after Independence till it was shifted to Bhubaneswar, the new capital of the state. During Quit India Movement of 1942 the students of this institution brought down the Union Jack as a mark of nationalistic fervour.
    The College originally was affiliated to Calcutta University and thereafter to Patna University in 1917 and was finally  affiliated to Utkal University in 1943. The Utkal University began functioning from this campus till it was shifted to its present site at Vani Vihar, Bhubaneswar. This institution is the alma mater of the most distinguished personalities of the state. Not only the Utkal University but also the Orissa State Museum and  Madhusudan Law College are the offshoots  of this Institution obtaining their independent status at a later stage.
    Post-graduate teaching started in 1922 with the opening of M.A. English class. Considering its great heritage, the Institution has been awarded National Honour by the Government of India through the issue of a commemorative stamp in 1978. The library which was named after the Raja Sahib of Kanika is the largest in Orissa. Not only is this Institution an epitome of learning but also  a piece of unique Victorian architecture in the country.
    The University has 27 departments of which 20 are post-graduate departments. M.Phil. programme is available in 14 departments and all the departments have provision for Ph.D. & D.Litt. programmes. Presently the University runs 23 Post-Graduate courses with research facilities and 27 Undergraduate honours courses.

Dussehhra Festival

Post by Prasant

Durga Puja symbolises the commemoration of good over evil. It is celebrated with great pomp and gaiety by Oriyas and Bengalis residing in Orissa. Durga Puja is celebrated in every town and city of Orissa.But mainly the celebration takes place in Cuttack, Berhampur,Bhubaneswar, Raurkela,Sambalpur,Balaswar and Jaipur. The three major Pujas of the state are the Chandi medha ("Chandi" means Silver) of Cuttack, Shahid Nagar's Durga Puja and Nayapalli's Durga Puja. Life comes to a stand-still in the city of Cuttack,Berhampur, Raurkela and Bhubaneswar as crowds pour into the Puja Mandaps to enjoy the festivities. On the day succeeding "Vijaya Dasami", the last day of Dussehra, the images are taken in a spectacular procession for immersion.The city of Cuttack is the socio-cultural center of the state of Odisha. The earliest Durga Puja was reportedly held in the Kazi Bajaar area of the city in 1832 by both Odias and Bengalis, employees of the East India Company. The local people participated in the festivities enthusiastically. However, due to differences which cropped up later, the Oriyas decided to organise the Puja on their own.Now the silver and gold jewellary clad Durga is seen in many lanes and pandals. The pandal is permanent throughout the year in the suburbs of Cuttack, where regular worship is done for the divine mother, and idols are made only during Dussehra time and immersed after that.

Cuttack Chandi Temple

The Katak Chandi Temple( in Oriya କଟକ ଚଣ୍ଡୀ ମନ୍ଦିର ) is an ancient temple dedicated to the Goddess Chandi, the presiding deity of Cuttack, Orissa. The temple is located nearby the banks of the Mahanadi River. It is famous for the annual Durga Puja and Kali Puja festivals. The Durga Puja festivities are prominent in Maa Katak Chandi temple which takes place for 16 days stating from dark fortnight of Ashwina Krishna Ashtami till Ashwina shukla navami and Vijayadashami. The goddess popularly called as Maa Katak Chandi, sits and rules on the heart of the ancient city.She has four hands holding Paasha(noose),Ankusha(goad),gestures dispelling fear(Abhaya),and granting boon(Varada). She is worshiped as Bhuvaneshvari (the queen of universe) by Sevayatas belonging to Utkala Brahmins everyday. Maa Chandi is worshipped in various incarnations of Durga during the puja. In Cuttack, people strongly believe Maa Katak Chandi as 'The Living Goddess.

I am a kite trainner from Cuttack

Prasant

CUTTACK: Kite-flying is a passion here. It defies age and status. People of every age enjoy the romance of kite-flying for which the enthusiasts organise a kite-flying tournament in the city year-after-year.

Especially in the days of winter -- particularly in the months of December and January -- kite-flying reaches its peak. Be it the aged or the young, enthusiasts throng the open grounds and roof tops of their locality to get that joyous feeling. But on the day of Makar Sankranti, it turns out to be a ritual for everybody to fly kites.

The essentials for this pleasant sport including kites, starched strings and a roller called ‘Natei’ in local parlance are available in various shapes and make in the city. Kites made up of paper, polythene and cloth are sold in every bazaar of the city but the markets of Choudhury Bazar, Chandni Chowk, and Buxi bazaar are famous for these.

“Now-a-days kites made up of cloth are in demand and the cost of these kites range from Rs 50 Rs 250,” said a trader Prakash Patra who prepares kites for nearly three months of a year. Patra feels kites made up of paper are however, the best. Polythene or cloth kites cannot give the same pleasure as that of paper kites.

Similarly, strings well-starched are also in demand as the pleasure of kite-flying is multiplied when the opponent’s string is broken by your strongly starched thread. “You feel like a king when your kite flutters in the sky cutting others to size,” says an enthusiast.

Shops selling essentials for kite-flying make a substantial business during this period as business crosses crores of rupees during the season.

Apart from the pleasure it provides, kite-flying also turns out to be a dangerous sport. Falling from roof tops and slitting of necks and other body parts by the deadly string are the two major accidents invariably associated with this sport. Last year a lawyer died near Baranga area of the district when his neck was slit by a loosely hanging kite thread from a tree.

Gedu,Rudra&Lipu
Back side man is Makuru