Today, thousands of devotees flocked to the sacred Gopinath Temple in Sakhigopal, located in Odisha’s Puri district, to celebrate Anla Navami and take part in the auspicious Radha Pada Darshan ritual. Anla Navami, also referred to as Akshaya Navami, falls on the ninth day of the Shukla Paksha during the Kartika month in the Hindu calendar, which occurs roughly nine days after Diwali. This festival holds deep religious significance, particularly for devotees of Goddess Radha and Lord Krishna.

In a rare ceremonial display, Goddess Radha is adorned in Odiani Besha, featuring a traditional Kachha costume, while Lord Krishna is dressed in Natabar Besha. This day is the only occasion throughout the year when the feet of Goddess Radha are unveiled for devotees to view, as they are kept covered the rest of the year. The temple doors opened at 1 a.m. today, and Mangala Alati was conducted at 1:30 a.m., followed by public darshan that will continue until 11 p.m. tonight.

According to Hindu beliefs, witnessing Radha Pada Darshan on Anla Navami is highly auspicious, as it is said to grant Moksha (salvation) to devotees. The day is also marked by the worship of the Anla tree (Indian gooseberry) and Goddess Lakshmi, as both are associated with blessings and prosperity.

This annual celebration at Sakhigopal draws devotees from across the region, as Anla Navami is considered one of the most significant festivals in the Hindu tradition, embodying Odisha’s rich cultural heritage and religious devotion.

In a significant development, senior IAS officer Archana Patnaik, hailing from Odisha, has been appointed as the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Tamil Nadu. The officer, who is currently serving as the MSME Secretary, will replace Satyabrata Sahoo, also from Odisha. She was designated the Chief Electoral Officer after the Election Commission of India (ECI) consulted with the state government.

The ECI’s official communication indicates that Patnaik will relinquish her current responsibilities in the Tamil Nadu government, effective immediately, to focus entirely on her new role. Patnaik’s career has been marked by notable milestones; she was previously the Collector of Coimbatore, becoming the first woman to hold this post in the district since 1945. Her administrative abilities were further acknowledged during her inter-state deputation to Odisha in 2017, when she was appointed Managing Director of the National Health Mission and assumed additional charge as MD of the Odisha State Medical Corporation Ltd. She later served as Special Secretary in the Water Resources Department in Odisha until 2020.

As Chief Electoral Officer, Patnaik’s role will be instrumental in overseeing the electoral processes across Tamil Nadu, ensuring transparency, integrity, and efficiency in upcoming elections. Her experience across diverse roles positions her well to contribute to the state’s democratic administration.

Bhubaneswar-based designer Reemly Mohanty, celebrated for her innovative use of Odisha’s traditional handlooms, is set to showcase her collection at India Fashion Week in London on November 16. Reemly is the only designer from Odisha invited to the prestigious event, which focuses on sustainable fashion this year. Her showcase will feature a contemporary collection that marries Odisha’s handwoven fabrics with modern silhouettes, aligning perfectly with the event’s theme of eco-conscious fashion.

Her collection, titled “NILA – An Azure Charm,” is inspired by the color blue, a shade deeply significant in Indian culture. Reemly explains that blue symbolizes the infinite sky and the vast ocean, as well as the Hindu deities Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. “Blue is the color of Lord Vishnu and symbolizes the infinite. Lord Shiva, known as NilaKantha (the Blue-Throated One), represents the eternal and unchanging reality amidst the cosmos,” said Reemly, referring to the mythological story of Shiva consuming poison during the Samudra Manthan (Churning of the Ocean) to save the universe, which turned his throat blue.

The collection features Odisha’s celebrated Pattachitra art and motifs inspired by fish and tribal heritage, all skillfully blended with contemporary elements. Traditional weaves like Ikat and Zardosi have been incorporated into modern cuts and designs, including lehengas, suits, and ready-to-wear sarees, showcasing her ability to blend heritage with modernity while keeping the beauty of Odisha’s handlooms intact.

India Fashion Week in London, a significant platform for global fashion, will see Reemly’s work stand alongside that of other renowned Indian designers. Reemly expressed pride in representing Odisha’s art and cultural legacy, hoping to bring greater global awareness to the state’s unique and sustainable textile traditions. This showcase not only highlights Reemly Mohanty’s commitment to sustainable fashion but also reinforces her role in promoting Odisha’s artistic heritage on the international stage.