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Puri Jagannath Temple’s Ratna Bhandar, the chamber of secret, to reopen after 40 years

India is waiting with bated breath for what's inside the much-anticipated Ratna Bhandar, the chamber of secret at Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha. The Ratna Bhandar at Jagannath Temple was last opened in 1985, and the inventory of its jewels and other valuables was last conducted in 1978. Since then, no further inventory of these treasures has been undertaken. This long interval without updating the inventory adds to the anticipation of the scheduled reopening of the inner chamber. Decades later, the stage is all set to reopen the secret room after 46 years, as preparations are underway to inventory the ornaments and valuables inside. This major event followed shortly after the BJP won the state elections. Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said, "Ratna Bhandar at Lord Jagannath Temple will be opened on July 14. The decision was approved by the government. We will open the Ratna Bhandar, we will repair it and counting of ornaments will be done”. What’s inside the Ratna Bhandar? The inner chamber of Ratna Bhandar at the 12th-century temple in Puri boasts a collection of the rarest jewelry, including diamonds, gold, and precious gems. These treasures, donated over centuries by devotees and kings to Lord Jagannath, are preserved and cataloged. According to the Odisha Review magazine article from 2022, the Bhitara Bhandar contains 180 types of ornaments, including 74 varieties of pure gold ornaments, some weighing more than 1.2 kilograms. This repository safeguards valuables not regularly used for the deities, reflecting centuries of devotion and cultural heritage. The process As per a government-approved plan, a team, headed by the chief administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), will visit the temple treasury on Sunday. This team will comprise members from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) along with temple servitors. The ASI, responsible for maintaining the 12th-century shrine, will use this opportunity to undertake necessary repairs and maintenance work. “To maintain transparency in the process for inventory of the ornaments, we are taking the help of the RBI. Representatives of the RBI will remain present during the inventory and extend support to the team formed by the managing committee for this purpose,” the Minister added. History of opening In 1978, officials took over 70 days to complete the inventory process at the treasury. This time, the Odisha government plans to expedite the process using technology. Governor Harichandan announced on Saturday that officials will photograph the inventory process to create a digital catalog of the ornaments for future reference. Specialised teams have been assigned distinct tasks. They will initially select an auspicious time, known as 'Suba Bela,' to open the treasury using a duplicate key held by the Puri district administration. If this approach fails, a magistrate will oversee the process of breaking the lock. Snake catchers deployed ahead of opening As per a report by Times of India, the temple committee was seeking a skilled snake charmer due to concerns about potential reptile threats ahead of the opening. A team of doctors will also be on standby with necessary medical supplies. A committee servitor expressed both curiosity about discovering the ancient treasures and apprehension regarding possible snake presence, citing the temple's age and the presence of small holes and cracks through which snakes could enter.

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Asia’s largest dinosaur-theme park, Dino Desert, has opened in Malaysia

Great news for dino lovers across the globe! Malaysia is now home to Asia’s largest dinosaur-theme park named Dino Desert. Monkeys Canopy Resort has recently unveiled its latest attraction, Southeast Asia's largest dinosaur park, spread across 11 acres. The park welcomed its inaugural visitors on 25 May, 2024 promising an extraordinary experience for dinosaur enthusiasts. Park’s prime attractions The highlight of the park is its impressive collection of 144 animatronic dinosaur species, meticulously made to resemble their prehistoric counterparts in both size and detail. From the iconic Tyrannosaurus Rex to the towering Mamenchisaurus and the peaceful Triceratops, these life-sized models are designed not only to replicate their appearances but also to move realistically. This technological feat aims to transport visitors millions of years back in time into the ancient world of dinosaurs. For fans of the Jurassic Park movie franchise, the park provides a thrilling opportunity to immerse oneself in a real-life dinosaur adventure. The animatronic dinosaurs, with their lifelike movements and vocalizations, add an exhilarating dimension to the experience, making it feel as though guests have stepped onto the set of a Hollywood blockbuster. Each dinosaur display is complemented by informative plaques, offering educational insights and fascinating facts about these ancient giants. This blend of entertainment and education ensures that visitors of all ages can enjoy and learn during their time at the park. Aurora Night at Dino Desert For those seeking a unique nighttime adventure, the park also hosts the Aurora Night at Dino Desert, where guests can explore the attractions under a mesmerizing, aurora-like atmosphere, adding a magical touch to the experience. Monkeys Canopy Resort, which first opened its doors in 2023, boasts additional attractions beyond the dinosaur park. Indoors, thrill-seekers can challenge themselves at the Conquer Indoor Extreme Park, featuring a Ninja Warrior Course and Elevated High-Rope Course. Meanwhile, families with young children can enjoy the Escape Safari Playland, a safe and playful environment filled with safari-themed obstacle courses, slides, and climbing areas. Tips Due to the park's open-air design, which offers minimal shade, guests are advised to wear light-shades, loose-fitting clothing for comfort. Staying hydrated is essential, and visitors are encouraged to bring sunglasses, an umbrella, and sunscreen to protect against the sun's rays.

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New terminal building of Pune Airport becomes operational 4 months after inauguration

The new terminal building of Pune Airport became operational on Sunday — four months after it was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi — with two airlines commencing their operations from the facility. Passengers boarded into the first flight in presence of Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Pune MP Murlidhar Mohol on Sunday afternoon. Nine arrivals and nine-departures were scheduled from the new building on the first day. Pune Airport Director Santosh Dhoke said that the two airlines will operate about 16 arrivals and same number of departures everyday from Monday. The first passengers to board the Pune-Delhi Air India flight AI-858 and Air India Express Pune-Bhubaneshwar flight I5 320 were felicitated by MoS Mohol. “It’s a matter of great joy for me and a moment of pride for Punekars that the new terminal building which provides a large facility to meet the growing needs of Pune flyers and also pays tribute to Pune’s history and culture is now being operationalised. In last ten years great aviation infrastructure has been created in the country under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and India has become the third largest aviation sector in the world,” said Mohol. Lieutenant Colonel Manisha, the first passenger who was felicitated by Mohol, thanked the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the government for creating the new terminal building that will provide better facilities to the flyers. The AAI plans to shift the operations of remaining airlines — there are total eight airlines that operate from Pune Airport— to the new building in phases. The shifting is expected to be completed by the end of the first week of August. The operationalisation of the new building was getting delayed for last few weeks because of the shortage of CISF personnel at the airport. The airport has a sanctioned strength of 724 CISF personnel but only about 453 persons were deployed at the airport until recently. After the new terminal building was constructed to cater to the growing need of the flyers, the AAI had requested the CISF to deploy more persons as the new terminal building is larger and that the transition will require deployment at both buildings. The existing terminal building with built-up area of 22,000 square meters has a passengers handling capacity of 7 million per annum. The new building with a built up area of 52,000 square metres has a passenger handling capacity of 9 million per annum, officials said.

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Navi Mumbai Airport To Be Operational In March 2025, Says Union Minister

Thane, Maharashtra: Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol today said the Navi Mumbai International Airport is slated to commence operations in March 2025. Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu and Mr Mohol visited the airport site and reviewed the progress of the ongoing work. "Going by the progress of the work, the airport will be operational in March next year. It will enhance connectivity with neighbouring Mumbai, Pune, Thane, Kalyan, and western Maharashtra," Mr Mohol said, highlighting its international standards and anticipated annual footfall of nearly 20 million passengers. He expressed positivity towards naming the airport after late PWP leader DB Patil. He also assured that issues about compensation for project-affected persons (PAP) would be resolved through discussions with management. "We are committed to ensuring that people who have contributed land for the airport project are not displaced," the minister clarified, emphasising the government's awareness of project-related issues and compensations. He underscored Prime Minister Modi's ongoing support for development initiatives in Maharashtra. Talking about the results of the Maharashtra council elections, Mr Mohol lauded the Mahayuti alliance's performance and urged the Congress to introspect on its internal challenges. The ruling Mahayuti alliance on Friday won all the nine seats it contested in the biennial elections to 11 legislative council seats, while the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi faced a setback as a candidate backed by NCP (SP) lost.

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Pan Am will return to the skies in 2025 (for a special flight)

Pan Am is synonymous with glamorous travel. Although the airline stopped flying in 1991, the name still emanates nostalgia and symbolizes an era before the words “overtourism” or “selfie stick” existed. Now, there’s a chance to fly Pan Am again, provided you have deep pockets. Pan Am Brands, which owns the former airline’s licensing rights, will fly a special Pan Am-branded private jet on a 12-day trip from New York City in June 2025. The “Tracing the Transatlantic” itinerary has stops in Bermuda, Lisbon, Marseille, London and Foynes, Ireland, all places that have significance to Pan Am and were on the airline’s old routes. The price tag? A cool $59,950 a person.

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Brightline Is Launching Taylor Swift-themed Train Rides to Her Miami Shows — Sing-alongs Included

Taylor Swift is heading back to the U.S. for another round of tour dates as part of her record-breaking Eras Tour, including a few nights in Miami. And while we're sure fans have already purchased their tickets and are diligently working on their outfits and friendship bracelets, there is one more way they can get in on the Taylor fandom in Florida and it's all about the trip to the venue. Florida's Brightline rail and iHeartRadio are coming together for a few themed train rides that will take fans right to the concert, with journeys between Orlando to the Hard Rock Stadium on Oct. 18, 19, and 20. "The Sing-Along Train is a fan’s dream come true, transporting guests through musical eras as they travel to The Big Concert," Travis Christ, the chief commercial officer for Brightline, shared in a statement provided to Travel + Leisure. "This is more than a ride – it’s a first-of-its-kind immersive experience. Welcome to the Brightline era." On the train, guests can expect Taylor-themed decor, DJs spinning tunes from every era, friendship bracelet swaps, photo ops, a few curated beverages and bites, and some surprises along the way, too (no, don't expect Taylor to pop out, but still, they've got some tricks up their sleeves). “At iHeartRadio, we're all about connecting our listeners with the music and experiences they love," Jeremy Rice, the program director of iHeartRadio's XL 106.7 and Magic 107.7 Orlando, whose DJs will be onboard, added. "Our partnership with Brightline allows us to bring fans even closer to the action with an unforgettable journey to The Big Concert. We're thrilled to be a part of this first-of-its-kind Sing-Along Train and can't wait to see the memories our listeners will make on board." Tickets for the Sing-Along Train are available now, with two trains departing Orlando each day of the concert starting at $209 for "smart" and $309 for "premium" one-way tickets. To book, just look for the "Sing-Along Train" icon on gobrightline.com. Guests will also get access to the roundtrip shuttle services and rideshare options between Brightilne’s Aventura Station and Hard Rock Stadium, though an additional fee may apply. See all the information you need on the trains, and what to expect onboard, here. Other travel brands are also stepping into their Swift era, helping fans get to the iconic pop singer's shows. Southwest is adding 10 more flights to cities where Swift is playing this fall.

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