A lot has happened this year so far, even before COVID-19 came in. We take you back in time to that momentous celebration of Lord Lingaraj on Mahashivaratri. This year, Mahashivaratri at Lingaraj Temple, Bhubaneswar, was a unique affair with redevelopment activities that were carried out to make it easier for people to gather together and offer their prayers to Lord Lingaraj before they break their Mahashivaratri fast. In a remarkable achievement of sorts for the Lingaraj Temple administration and a surprise for the sea of devotees who gathered at the 11th-century shrine on the night of February 21, the Mahadeep was lit on the temple spire 15 minutes earlier than the scheduled time. By 10 pm, which was the scheduled time for Mahadeep, the crowd had begun to dissipate and devotees broke their day-long fast. Here’s a throwback to some of the poignant moments from Mahashivaratri celebrations this year as Lingaraj Temple lit up with lights, lamps, and devotion like never before.

On the occasion of New Year's Day, more than 5 lakh devotees and tourists from different parts of the country thronged Odisha's Pilgrim city, Puri, to seek the blessings of the Lord Jagannath to usher in the New Year. A revamped Bada Danda welcomed people while the district administration ensured a smooth conduction and safety arrangements for a large number of devotees. 2020 kicked off with a fervour of Lord Jagannath as devotees said goodbye to unorganized queues and extreme rush. Everything was systematic, safe, and smooth. From protecting devotees from the Sun to displaying Odisha’s art on the Bada Danda, the pilgrim town witnessed a new era of sorts. Going back in time to January 1 when the smiles on the faces of Puri’s people showcased their happiness with the much-needed change.

The unprecedented time of COVID-19 has hit the human race with all its force. Senior citizens have been the major casualties ever since the virus reared its ugly head. And yet, here they stand, lively than ever, adapting to the new reality in their own ways. They inspire us to face the change with a smile on our faces. They teach us to live our lives to the fullest. They sing the song of life from their hearts. Here is our candid conversation with our lovely Goldies. #SeniorCitizens #COVID19 #Bhubaneswar #COVID19Effect #Odisha #QLS #QuantumLeapStudio

After 25 long years, the world will witness the mystical divinity as Lord Jagannath will get into the Nagarjuna Besha honouring the warrior incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Parsurama. The sacred relationship of centuries connects us with the warriors of the Jaga Akahdas of Puri, known as Naga Warriors, who were the defenders of Lord Jagannath at crucial times. During the foreign invasions, around 12th - 13th century, when various holy establishments including the Jagannath Temple in Puri were under constant threat, the fearless Naga Warriors stood as the protection shield honouring their responsibilities. Their victory dance during the pious Gosani Jatra of Puri is also quite famous as Naga Dance. Our COVID Warriors are no different. Now, it is time to honour our Mighty Warriors in this ultimate COVID war. Look closely & you'd find them. Follow us on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/QLS2019/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/qls_bhubneswar Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quantum_leap_studio/ #NagarjunaBesha #Odisha #Puri #COVIDWarrior

This year’s Durga Puja was without the usual fervour. And that is a rarity in East India where it is the biggest festival. COVID-19 left a huge impact on our festivals as well. There’s an industry behind the extravagant Durga Puja of Odisha. Our idol-makers, the murtikars who give shape to the Goddess, have had to incur huge losses this Durga Puja. With no Pandals or congregations allowed as well as the size of the idols reduced to 4ft, it was a time of intense struggle for these artisans who are usually inundated with work this time of the year. We decided to find out more, from people who breathe life into the deities.

We are all in the same boat, they say. Well, #COVID19 has not been the same for everyone, a few amongst us have had it worse than the others. Odisha’s street food vendors are among the worst affected of the lot. Despite reopenings during the ongoing Unlock phase, things are no longer the same for them. Yet there's hope on the horizon and a lingering power to push as far as one can. Somehow, amidst all the economic and emotional upheavals, our street food vendors are holding on, still. Why and how? We try finding out.

There's no respite from COVID 19 yet but it seems we have all begun to learn to live with it. As Odisha begins its lockdown process again, we share some of the people's perspectives on the lockdown and how it taught them to value work, people who carry out our daily civic tasks and look at a hopeful future with more than one source of income. Take a look. Also, find us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/QLS_Bhubneswar Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/QLS2019 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/quantum_leap_studio

Unlock 2.0 is here and Odisha, like the rest of the country, is trying its best to battle COVID-19 and its far-reaching consequences. Yet the one thing that hasn't left our side is the Hope we carry within ourselves - the lessons we learned while under lockdown and our power to adapt and deal with the changes that we are encountering as COVID-19 becomes a way of life. Quantum Leap Studio (QLS) brings to you COVID-19 Experiences -measures taken by the State to combat the pandemic, arrival of migrant workers back in the State, the problems people encountered, and shared in our surveys as well as life lessons Odisha citizens learned during the extending lockdown. Like Share Subscribe Also, find us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/QLS_Bhubneswar Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/QLS2019 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/quantum_leap_studio

COVID-19 has changed our lives and how! While Odisha anticipated the impending emergency and took swift action, the changes wrought by the pandemic had to be accepted and worked with. What was known and normal to us is no longer the ideal way to live. Its been an all-round change in our lives, how we work, our relationships, eating habits, shopping habits, and more. But, most importantly, it has shown us the power of change, resilience, and our innate capability to adapt. As Odisha grows accustomed to this New Normal and looks for new ways of living, Quantum Leap Studio (QLS) brings to you COVID-19 Experiences -measures taken by the State to combat the pandemic, arrival of migrant workers back in the State, the problems people encountered and shared in our surveys as well as life lessons Odisha citizens learnt during the extending lockdown. Like Share Subscribe Also, find us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/QLS_Bhubneswar Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/QLS2019 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/quantum_leap_studio