Lingaraj Festival Ends on a High Note with Dance, Devotion and Honours

Bhubaneswar, (KCN): The historic city of Bhubaneswar witnessed a vibrant celebration of culture, devotion and heritage with the grand conclusion of the Lingaraj Festival organized by Ekamra Cultural Publishing House to mark the auspicious occasion of Rukuna Rath Yatra of Mahaprabhu Shri Lingaraj.Held with pomp and religious fervor the final evening was an artistic spectacle featuring mesmerizing dance performances from renowned institutions and artistes. The event began on an elegant note with a soulful Odissi performance by Padma Shri Guru Durga Charan Ranbir and his ensemble setting the tone for an evening of cultural brilliance. This was followed by a lively comedy act by popular performer Pappu Pom Pom evoking laughter and delight among the audience.The cultural lineup continued with stunning Odissi performances by the Odissi Dance Academy creative and contemporary dance presentations by Shilpikha Institute and Adi Tantra Kala Academy, Kolkata and a dynamic group act choreographed by Tubula Das. Adding regional flavour to the evening was a vibrant Bihu dance led by Asamar Rupam Sharma and team which captivated the audience with its rhythmic energy. The festival concluded on a powerful note with a spellbinding Horse Dance by Padma Shri Guru Utsav Das leaving a lasting impression on the attendees.The event was graced by an illustrious gathering of dignitaries including MP Aparajita Sarangi, former MP and Eastern Media Chairman Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, MLAs Babu Singh and Prashant Jagdev, BJP leader and Odisha Olympic Association President Sameer Mohanty, former Mumbai Commissioner Arup Patnaik,

National Journalists’ Association President Dr. Pabitra Mohan Samantray, MBC TV Chief Badri Patnaik and V. Nageshwar Rao among others. They shared insightful remarks and lauded the event’s efforts in preserving and promoting Odisha’s cultural essence.The festival was held under the able chairmanship of Ex- MLA Suresh Kumar Routray, President of the organizing body. Secretary Sanat Mishra provided details about the programme’s vision and execution while Basudev Nath skillfully coordinated the event under the mentorship of Guru Gajendra Panda and Guru Pratibha Panda.Among the key organizers were Treasurer Ratikaant Mahasuar, Pradyumna Kumar Mohanty, Spokesperson Lingaraj Sahu, Rashmi Mohapatra, Viswanath Mohapatra along with Baban Chandra Mohapatra, Kedarnath Mohapatra, Lalatendu Mohanty, Sudhir Ranjan Jena, Pramod Das, Ganesh Pal, Pratap Pattnaik, Tapan Mahasuar and Debashis Swain.A highlight of the evening was the felicitation ceremony where distinguished artists and traditional Sevayats including Maharana Sevayat, Kharada Sevayat, Darji Sevayat, Apatiya Sevayat, Pujapanda Niyog, Badu Niyog, Brahmin Niyog, Vootora Niyog were honoured for their dedicated service. Susanta Kumar Sethi and Rath Kolesi Babu Khuntia, the master craftsman behind the iconic Rukuna Rath were also specially acknowledged.The Lingaraj Festival with its grandeur and devotion stood as a powerful reminder of Odisha’s rich spiritual and cultural tapestry leaving the city of temples bathed in divine and artistic light.