The Crossroads of Taste By Lokanath Mishra Lalita was a woman of refined tastes, or so she believed. She had an unwavering rule: she would not eat food prepared outside her home. This principle extended even to the most celebrated restaurants, including five-star hotels. Her colleagues at the office in Bhubaneswar knew her well. On […]
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The Emporium By Lokanath Mishra Badrinath, a man known for his eccentric and often ludicrous business ideas, had spent the early months of the pandemic obsessively researching historical oddities. He stumbled upon a strange tidbit about Qing dynasty marital customs—a detail so peculiar it sparked a truly bizarre idea. He’d open a business, not selling
From Seafaring Tales to Sacred Rituals: The Cultural Evolution of Odisha’s Maritime Heritage By Lokanath Mishra Odisha’s rich maritime history is deeply embedded in its cultural fabric, giving rise to festivals and folktales that celebrate its seafaring past. Two prime examples are the ancient folktale of Tapoi and the festival of Boita Bandana. While both
The Sacred Kalash : A Symbol of Abundance for Hindus in the USA By Lokanath Mishra In Hinduism, the Kalash, also known as Purna Kumbha or Ghata, is a deeply revered symbol that represents abundance, creation, and the source of life. While the traditions associated with it vary across different regions, for many Hindus in
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An Unlikely Spark By Lokanath Mishra Milli was an innocent, shy girl, and those were the very qualities that had first captivated her husband, Samir. An arranged marriage had brought them together, and for the first few weeks, he seemed completely enchanted by her gentle nature. But soon, the novelty wore off. Samir, a software
The Weight of a Garland By Lokanath Mishra The air in the grand marriage Mandap of a five-star hotel in Bhubaneswar was thick with the scent of jasmine and the excited chatter of a hundred guests. Rasmita watched her best friend, Sunny, her face radiant, her eyes sparkling with a love she had only ever
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Incense Sticks By Lokanath Mishra The silence in the room was heavy, thick with unspoken words and the cloying scent of incense. Rebati, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, sat with her eyes fixed on the flickering flame of a small oil lamp. The aroma of the incense sticks her father had gifted her
As an Indian, I am tremendously proud of our country; I am not, however, a blind patriot. While I am proud of our culture, our rich heritage, I am aware that India lacks in a lot of respects — be it in the areas of infrastructure or economy or social issues like the safety of
Krishna Janmashtami 2025 : Celebrating the Birth of Lord Krishna By Lokanath Mishra Krishna Janmashtami, a significant festival in Hinduism, will be celebrated on August 15th & 16th, 2025. This joyous occasion commemorates the birth of Lord Krishna, the Maha Vishnu, who is revered for his divine wisdom, compassion, and heroism.The festival’s history dates back
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A Love That Endures By Lokanath Mishra Ramesh and his friends had been looking forward to their dinner plans all week. They met at the hotel at 8 PM, excited to catch up and share stories. Before leaving home, Ramesh had told his wife, Ratnamani, not to disturb him unless it was absolutely necessary. He
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