Achyutananda Das: The Most Prolific Writer of ‘Panchasakha’

Achyutananda Das: The Most Prolific 

Writer of ‘Panchasakha’

The Panchasakhas are one of the most famous Groups of Poets during 16^th Century, who have transformed our Odia Language. They are Vaishnavas by thought. In 1509, Chaitanya came to Odisha with his Baishnaba Message and introduced Chanting as a way to make spiritual connection & taught the importance of Hare Krishna Mantra.

Achyutananda Das, who is believed to be born through special divine intervention from Lord Jagannath.  He is termed as Mahapurusha for his vast knowledge on many subjects such as Spirituality, Yoga, Rituals, Ayurveda and other various science and social regulations.

                            

Apart from that, he has also translated the complex ancient Hindu Sanskrit Scripts into Odia Language. Here are his Collection of Books: Chausathi Patala, Abaada Brahma Samhita, AchyutanandaMaalika, Anantabata Geeta O Mohakalpa,  Asta Gujjari, Bhabisyata Malika, BhabisyataParardha, Rahasa Mala, Gopala Ogala, Kaibarta Gita, BrahmaEkakshyara Gita, Gurjhari Rahasa, Tera Janma Sharana, BrahmaShankuli, Achyutananda Janma Sharana, Braham Birata Yantra OAkara Brahmayantra Basana, Pattamadana, Manmatha Chandrika, Nitya Rahasa to name a few.

Find the Total Collection of Achyutananda Books Set only on Ritikart. Click Here.

Regards,

Team Ritikart

https://www.ritikart.com

Keonjhar Special Badi: The Taste of Odisha

Keonjhar Special Badi

It’s one of the special occasions during which I along with my family plan a sudden trip to Keonjhar. Though it’s my in-law’s place, I hardly get a chance to go to Keonjhar even after more than 4 yrs of marriage due to my working schedule. But this time, somehow, I manage to find a break to visit to attend a Marriage Function.

I have heard about Keonjhar Special Phula Badi a lot. Though I was not a fan of this special dry food from Odisha despite being an Odia. But after getting a sample of Badi (sent by my friend from Keonjhar), I fall in love with this. It was so crispy and crunchy..!!

I started my journey from Bhubaneswar very early in the morning on a Sunday. I have to leave as early as possible to avoid the city traffic. It was all 4 Lane road to Keonjhar through which I had to drive my car. I and my family were very excited for this Road Trip.

As per plan, I managed to cross Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Chandikhole, Panikoili in a very short time. Then I was on a Newly Constructed straight road to Keonjhar. After crossing Anandapur, we landed in the district zone of Keonjhar. We were so mesmerized by the outside beauty and greenery. It was so magical!

On the way, we arrived at the famous Maa Tarini Temple at Ghatagaon. After doing a small Puja over there, I continued my journey to my destination. It was around 11, when we arrived at Keonjhar and straightly headed to my Uncle in-law’s home. There we took rest after having some refreshments.

At around 2, I called up my Keonjhar friend and we both went to explore something for which I had been here. We both went to a place called Atopur that belongs to the Old Keonjhar. As we arrived there, I was being welcomed by the White Colored freshly sun-basked Badis. It was all over, spreading in front of some small huts. 

I was very surprised to see the cleanliness maintained over there. They are all different shaped and seemed as if they were ready to be eaten just like that only in the raw form.

As I spoke to one of the Badi sellers there, I came to know a lot about this traditional food of Odisha which I was really unaware of. 

Basically, there were 4 types/Shapes of Badis they are selling:

a) Keonjhar Special Phula Badi: They are Crispy, Chewy and Crunchy..!! Yes, they are eaten upon shallow fried in Oil. They are freshly sunbaked with Raasi or Khasa on one side. They shaped like a Flower by which the name was given for. The main ingredients used to prepare this Badi are: Urad Dal, seasam seeds and other spices.

                              

b)  Keonjhar Phula Badi with Raasi Mix – It’s same as the normal Phula Badi but here the Seasam Seeds and spices are mixed and then given a proper shape. It can also be eaten upon shallow fried in Oil.

                               

c) Keonjhar Pumpkin Badi – These are normal Badis that can be mixed with a particular dish to enhance its taste. The raw badis are roasted in a Tawa or simply in Fire. The main ingredients are Urad Dal, Pumpkin, Salt, Black Papper and other Spices. Traditional dishes include Badi chura, Alu chui Besara Badi Curry and lot more.

                                 

 d) Keonjhar Special Masala Badi – These Badis are mixed with various spices like Garlic, Salt, Urad dal and other spices. This special Masala Badi tastes very good when it is fried with onion and garlic and being eaten with even overnight cooked rice.

                                 

I managed to buy few Badis for me and my Office Staffs since I got huge requests for Keonjhar Badi before coming here. So, I packed few of them in a Cartoon Box and hurried towards my in-law’s place as I was getting frequent calls by my Boss of the family – My Wife...!!

After attending the marriage function in the evening, on the very next day, I started my return journey to Bhubaneswar having a lot of sweet memories on my mind, specially this Keonjhar Special Badis to which I am very much influenced.

Lastly, I can say that these traditional dry foods like Badis need special attention, needs to be marketed so that the whole world can taste this traditional food of Odisha. I even found few online stores like Ritikart and few other online stores are promoting these Badis that are best known for their quality and essence.

Thanks
Deepak Mahanta

Happy Diwali To You All..!!

Let's celebrate the festival of life as it brings the happiness, the joy, the hope, and the prosperity in life. Wish you all Happy Diwali!

#Diwali #happiness #festiveseason #diyas #joy #festivaloflights #blessings #HappyDeepavali

MOTHER'S DAY - Few things which you must know about this Day !

Mothers; are said to be the LIVE God on earth. It's said that - God could not be everywhere, and therefore He made Mothers. A Mother is one who loves us so much that at times, we don't value it.. A Mother is one who makes us realize how good are we.. No one is better than us ! A Mother is one who laughs when we laugh, who cries when we cry..! A Mother is one without who we cannot think of our existence...! A Mother is Everything..!

With the above dialogue on Mothers from the famous bollywood movie "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai", it's easily understood about the value and role of our Mother in our life. So here we are to celebrate a Day specially dedicated to Mother - MOTHER'S DAY !

Let's know few known/unknown facts about this MOTHER'S DAY:

1. ANNA JARVIS - Founder of the Mother's Day in USA in 1910:

Anna Jarvis is the first woman who celebrated Mother's Day to honor her mother in USA. In 1910, this is widespread and widely accepted the "2nd Sunday of May" as the Mother's Day.

2. The Founder herself "boycotted" the Mother's Day:

After she founded Mother's day, the concept has been misused and commercialized by few companies as they started selling Gifts and Cards on Mother's day. When Anna knew this thing, she immediately boycotted the Mother's Day Idea.

3. Anna Jarvis remained "UNMARRIED and Childless":

Though being founder of the "Mother's Day", Anna Jarvis remained unmarried and childless in her entire life.

4. Mother's Day Celebration in different countries:

Though in India, the Mother's Day is celebrated on the 2nd Sunday of May, but it's not same everywhere. In some countries like UK and Ireland, this special day dedicated to mothers, is observed on the "Women's Day" in the month of March.

5. Mother's Day - A Special Thank to your Mom:

No one can take the place of a Mother. So it's is the best time to speak out from our heart and say how much we love her. It's the day to make her feel important and be happy..!

Also it's the best time to gift your MOTHER like a beautiful Saree for her either from an Online Store like Ritikart(www.ritikart.com) or offline shop.

Biranchi - The Real Hero Odisha

In the Year, 1987….. in a small village called BALANGA in Puri District, Mr. Biranchi Narayana Behera was born in a poor family.

Due to the family conditions, he was forced to leave his studies after Class 10. With no other options for livelihood, he has chosen Odisha’s Traditional Art form – Palm Leaf Engraving as his career path.

Since then, he was deeply involved in this Traditional Art and traveled across various parts of India, attended numerous exhibitions just to promote our rich culture.

As rightly said by Abdul Kalam that “Confidence with hard work is the best medicine to kill the disease called failure”, Mr. Behera is the perfect example of this. Due to his dedication and contribution to this traditional art, he won the Prestigious Lalit Kala Academy award in the year 2015.

After that, he has started his own school of Palm leaf Art determined to keep the tradition alive and transfer this art to the upcoming generation. Today, he merely gets Rs.10,000 from the state government which is not sufficient for him to maintain his own livelihood and his school. This World-Class Artist innocently says "ଆଜ୍ଞା, ପଇସା ଆମର ବେଶି ଦରକାର ନାହିଁ… ବାସ ଆମେ ଆମ କଳାକୁ ନେଇ ଆଜି ଯାଏ ବଞ୍ଚି ଆସିଛୁ..ଆଗକୁ ବି ବଞ୍ଚିବୁ.. ବାସ ଆମକୁ ଟିକେ Support ଦରକାର.” (We don’t need much money.. We just want this traditional art form to get support and encouragement as they deserve).

        

 (Pic Source: Mr. Behera with his Students)

Like him, there are many other artists of Odisha are not getting proper support and encouragement. Though there are a lot of plans and schemes made by the State Government for the upliftment of the art, it’s been not successfully implemented on the ground level.

(Pic Source - Few mastery work by Mr. Behera; the first in the above row won him the Lalit Kala Academy award)

Please give your support to this rarest art form – Palm Leaf Painting and Engraving and spread the word to every corner of the world so that the artists like Mr. Biranchi Narayana Behera, get that they deserve the best.

    (Pic Source: The tools used for etching on the Palm Leaf sheet made by the dry palm leaves sewed  back to back)

We at Ritikart, aggressively promote this art on our online store – https://www.ritikart.com and make it reach to whole world.

Direct Product link:  a) Palm Leaf Painting – https://goo.gl/6RRtRR

                                   b) Palm Leaf Engraving - https://goo.gl/7j6Ccj

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ଜାଣନ୍ତୁ ବିଶ୍ୱର ବିଭିନ୍ନ ପ୍ରାନ୍ତରେ ଖେଳା ହେଉଥିବା ହୋଲି ବିଷୟରେ !

କେବଳ ଭାରତୀୟମାନେ ଯେ ହୋଲି ଖେଳନ୍ତି ତାହା କହିବା ଭୁଲ I ଦୁନିଆରେ ଏଭଳି କିଛି ଦେଶ ଅଛି ଯେଉଁଠି ହୋଲିକୁ ବିଭିନ୍ନ ରୂପରେ ଖେଳା ଯାଏ I ଆସନ୍ତୁ ଜାଣିବା ସେମିତି କିଛି ଉତ୍ସବଗୁଡିକ  ବିଷୟରେ...

1. ବୋରୟଙ୍ଗ କାଦୁଅ ମହୋତ୍ସବ :

ବୋରୟଙ୍ଗ କାଦୁଅ ମହୋତ୍ସବ ଏକ ବାର୍ଷିକ ଉତ୍ସବ ଯାହା ଦକ୍ଷିଣ କୋରିଆର ରାଜଧାନୀ ସିଓଲ ରୁ ୨୦୦ କିମି ଦୂର ବୋରୟଙ୍ଗ ନାମକ ସହରରେ ହୋଇଥାଏ I ତେଣୁ କୋରିଆରେ ବି ଲୋକମାନେ ଏହାକୁ ହୋଲି ପରି ଖୁବ ଧୁମଧାମରେ ଖେଳିଥାନ୍ତି I 

2. "ଲା ଟୋମାଟିନୋ" ମହୋତ୍ସବ :

ଆପଣମାନେ ବଲିଉଡ ଚଳଚିତ୍ର " ଜିନ୍ଦଗୀ ମିଲେଗି ନା ଦୋବାରା" ରେ ଏହାକୁ ଦେଖିଥିବେ I "ଲା ଟୋମାଟିନୋ" ସ୍ପେନ ଦେଶର ବୁନଲ ସହରରେ ହେଉଥିବା ଏକ ପ୍ରସିଦ୍ଧ ଖେଳ ଯେଉଁଥିରେ ଲୋକେ ପଚାଶଢା ଟମାଟୋକୁ ପରସ୍ପର ଭିତରେ ଫିଙ୍ଗି ଖୁବ ମଜା କରନ୍ତି

3. "ସଂକ୍ରାନ" ମହୋତ୍ସବ :

ସଂକ୍ରାନ ହେଉଛି ଥାଇଲାଣ୍ଡର ନୂଆବର୍ଷ ଦିନ ହେଉଥିବା ଖେଳ I ଏହି ଖେଳର ବିଶେଷତ୍ୱ ହେଲା ଲୋକମାନେ ଗଳି ଗଳି ବୁଲି ପରସ୍ପର ଉପରେ ବରଫ ପାଣି ଫୋପାଡ଼ି ଥାଆନ୍ତି ଓ ଏକ ପ୍ରକାର ହଳଦିଆ ବର୍ଣ୍ଣ ମିଶ୍ରିତ ପେଷ୍ଟକୁ ଅନ୍ୟ ଦେହରେ ବୋଳି ଥାଆନ୍ତି

4. ଏଲସ୍ ଏମ୍ଫାରୀନାଟସ୍:

ଏହା ହେଉଛି ସ୍ପେନ୍ ଦେଶର ଇବି ସହରରେ ପ୍ରତି ବର୍ଷ ହେଉଥିବା ଏକ ଲୋକପ୍ରିୟ ଉତ୍ସବ I ଏଥିରେ ଲୋକେ ମୁଖ୍ୟତଃ ବୋମା, ଅଟା କିମ୍ବା ଅଣ୍ଡା ମାଡ କରିଥାନ୍ତି I ତେଣୁ ଏହାକୁ କେବଳ ରଙ୍ଗର ହୋଲି ନ କହିବା ଭଲ ! 😁

5. ହାରୋ ମଦ ଉତ୍ସବ:

ଏହାର ନାମରୁ ସହଜରେ ଅନୁମାନ କରାଯାଇ ପରେ ଯେ ଏଥିରେ କଣ ହେଉଥିବ I ସ୍ପେନ୍ ର ହାରୋ ସହରରେ ହେଉଥିବା ଏହି ଖେଳରେ ମଦପିଇବା ପ୍ରତିଯୋଗିତା ଅନୁଷ୍ଠିତ ହୋଇଥାଏ ଓ ବାଲଟି ବାଲଟି ମଦକୁ ଲୋକମାନେ ପରସ୍ପର ଉପରେ ଢ଼ାଳିଥାନ୍ତି !  

6. ଗର୍ମା ମହୋତ୍ସବ :

ଏହା ହେଉଛି ଅଷ୍ଟ୍ରେଲିଆର ଗୁଲକୁଲା ସହରରେ ଖେଳା ଯାଉଥିବା ବାର୍ଷିକ ଉତ୍ସବ I ଏଥିରେ ସେଠାକାର ଆଦିମ ଅଧିବାସୀ "ଜୁଲନୁ" ସମ୍ପ୍ରଦାୟର ଲୋକେ ନିଜ ଦେହକୁ ବିଭିନ୍ନ ରଙ୍ଗରେ ରଙ୍ଗି ଦିନମାନ ନାଚ ଗୀତ କରିଥାନ୍ତି I  

7. କାସ୍କାମୋରାସ୍ ଉତ୍ସବ :

ଏହା ହେଉଛି ସ୍ପେନ୍ ର ବାଜା ସହରରେ ହେଉଥିବା ପ୍ରସିଦ୍ଧ ଖେଳ ମଧ୍ୟରୁ ଅନ୍ୟତମ ଯେଉଁଠି ଲୋକେ ନିଜ ଦେହରେ ମୁଣ୍ଡରୁ ଗୋଡ ଯାଏ କଳା ରଙ୍ଗ ବୋଳି ହୋଇ ଅତି ଧୁମ ଧାମରେ ଏହି ଖେଳର ମଜା ନେଇଥାନ୍ତି I 

8. ମିଚିଗାନ୍ କାଦୁଅ ଦିବସ :
ଏହା ହେଉଛି ଅମେରିକାର ମିଚିଗାନ୍ ସହରରେ ହେଉଥିବା ବାର୍ଷିକ ଉତ୍ସବ ଯେଉଁଥିରେ ପିଲାଠାରୁ ବୟସ୍କ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି ଯାଏ ସମସ୍ତେ ଘଣ୍ଟା ଘଣ୍ଟା ଧରି କାଦୁଅରେ ଖେଳି ଖୁବ୍ ଉପଭୋଗ୍ କରିଥାନ୍ତି I

10 Super Special Gifting ideas from Odisha for any occasion!

There are some days in our lives which are meant to be come and go as if they don’t have their existence at all. Also, there are some days that are so special that they cannot be forgotten ever in life. Many times, we might have expressed our love to our Father, Mother, Sister, Close friends and Relatives but the love and care for that special person which you value the most in life is something which always cherish you.

Gifting to your loved ones (whether it’s a special occasion or not) always expresses your love and care for someone you value. So here is a list of 10 Gifting Ideas that are sure to make your loved ones as happy as they can be and make every occasion memorable – 

1. A Good Bed Time Novel/Short Story book for someone special who loves to read:

Books are always very special for the folks who love to read... In fact no special occasion needed. Just buy it from online and send to someone special. It will be the best gift of yours till date... :)

Buy onlineBooks in Odia at Ritikart's online store at best price.

2. The Lord Jagannath Balabhadra Subhadra Idol set for someone special who finds love in divinity:

Lord Jagannath is considered to be the live deity. What else one need to consider as best gift for someone who loves God more than anything else ! 

Hari Bol.. II Jai JagannathII

Buy online Neem Wood Jagannath idols only at Ritikart's online store at best price.

3. Wall Hanging Handmade Wooden Items for Someone who loves home décor:

Handmade Wooden Idols always fascinating and are one of the best works of an artisan..!!So the idea of gifting this to your loved ones who always likes to decorate his/her home. This truly could be the best gift of yours..! 

Buy online Handmade Wooden idols only at Ritikart's online store at best price.

4. A Stunning piece of Sambalpuri Saree for someone special who loves traditional attire:

Sambalpuri Saree or Odisha Saree is by far the hardest technique of tie and die also called as Ikkat. That's why they are probably the most stunning and beautiful... This would be by far the most perfect gift for your mother!

Now Buy online Sambalpuri Sarees only at Ritikart's online store at best price.

5. Elegant Cushion Covers for someone who loves to furbish his/her home:

You keep your head while watching TV or just place them on your thighs while gossiping - Yes, Cushions are the ones. But a cushion is incomplete without a beautiful Cushion Cover. Now don't think much.. Grab it for someone you love or gift it to yourself! 

Now Buy online Handmade Cotton Cushion Covers only at  best price.

6. Amazing Marble Stone statues to give an attractive look to your Showcase.

Marble - The Taj Mahal Stone will now be available at your place.!! With a timeless and luxurious look, you will instantly fall in love with this. It could be the coolest gift for someone you care!

Click here to buy breathtaking Marble Statues online at best price.

7. Marvelous Bamboo made Gifts for a Nature Lover:

The nature itself has a lot to give you! Bamboo made Gifts are so versatile that you can get anything made out of it from flooring to artifacts... A great gift for the friend of yours who is a Nature Lover! 

Click here to buy Handmade Bamboo Gifts online at best price.

8. Breathtaking Pattachitra Painting for the supreme art lover:

"Art is now what you see, but what you make others see." As rightly said, you can be able to express your feelings, emotions through an Art or a Picture which you cannot express in words. So pick a beautiful Pattachitra Painting of Radha and Krishna and simply give it to a person who you value so much in your life..

Click here to buy Canvas Pattachitra Paintings online at best price.

9. Splendid Dhokra Showpiece for a fan of "Carved Items”:

Are you a fan of antique things? Then this will surely interest you. Dhokra Items have golden yellow finish and so traditional that you will fall in love instantly. You can keep it for yourself or gift it to your special person who also love Carved Items.

Click here to buy Canvas Dhokra Items online at best price.

10. Captivating handmade Ladies Purse for someone who you value the most:

Ladies Purse is a style statement for a woman. She can carry it with her wherever she goes whether it's for a shopping or just for a normal outdoor walk. Nothing could be the best gifting option for a lady other than this!

Click here to buy Handmade Purses online at best price.

This is only the beginning of the never-ending love between you and your loved ones. So, shower them on the gift lists (mentioned above) making the occasion a really special and be on the top of the world!

Love from Ritikart!