Bhubaneswar: Amid hot and humid weather and power cuts in Odisha, Pradeep Kumar Jena resigned on Monday as chairman of the Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC), citing personal reasons.
According to a notification from the Energy Department, the government has accepted Jena’s resignation. The official order states, “Jena is allowed to be relieved from his post from 25 May 2026 (afternoon).”
The order also said that the Governor of Odisha has accepted his resignation. Jena was appointed chairman of OERC in March 2025 after completing his tenure as Chief Secretary. OERC is a quasi-judicial body responsible for regulating electricity tariffs in the state. The commission also works to promote efficiency, transparency, competition, and economic growth in Odisha’s power sector.
Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, India, is known as the “Temple City” for its thousands of ancient temples, most notably the 7th-century Lingaraja Temple. The city’s history dates back over 2,000 years, serving as the ancient capital of the Kalinga kingdom and later becoming a major center of Hindu and Jain culture. Modern Bhubaneswar was designed in 1946 as a planned city, blending its rich heritage with contemporary urban development.
Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, India, is known as the “City of Temples” due to its rich heritage of over 500 ancient temples. Its history spans over 2,000 years, serving as the ancient capital of the Kalinga kingdom and later flourishing under the Kalinga dynasty, which built iconic structures like the Lingaraja Temple. Today, it blends this historic legacy with modern urban development, making it a significant cultural and religious hub.
Lingaraja Temple
The Lingaraja Temple, located in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, is one of the finest examples of Kalinga architecture and dates back to the 11th century, built during the rule of the Somavamsi dynasty. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple complex features a towering 180-foot spire and intricate carvings that blend Hindu and Jain influences. It remains an active place of worship and a major pilgrimage site, symbolizing the spiritual and artistic heritage of the region.
Odisha
Odisha, a state on India’s eastern coast, is renowned for its ancient Kalinga War (261 BCE) which transformed Emperor Ashoka to Buddhism, and for its magnificent temples like the Sun Temple at Konark and Jagannath Temple in Puri. Its rich cultural heritage includes classical Odissi dance, intricate silver filigree work, and distinctive tribal art forms. The region’s history spans from ancient kingdoms to Mughal and British rule, culminating in its formation as a separate state in 1936.
Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, India, is known as the “Temple City” due to its thousands of historic temples, many dating back to the Kalinga dynasty. Its history spans over 2,000 years, flourishing as the ancient capital of the Kalinga kingdom and later under the rule of dynasties like the Somavamsi and Ganga. The city is renowned for the magnificent Lingaraja Temple and the Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves, which reflect its rich architectural and religious heritage.
Lingaraja Temple
The Lingaraja Temple, located in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, is one of the finest examples of Kalinga architecture, built in the 11th century by the Somavamsi dynasty. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple complex features a towering 55-meter spire and intricate carvings, reflecting centuries of religious and artistic tradition. It remains an active pilgrimage site and a key symbol of Odisha’s cultural heritage.
Kalinga kingdom
The Kalinga kingdom was an ancient Indian realm located in present-day Odisha and parts of Andhra Pradesh, known for its fierce independence and maritime trade. It gained historical prominence after being conquered by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka in the brutal Kalinga War (c. 261 BCE), an event that so moved Ashoka with remorse that he embraced Buddhism and dedicated his rule to non-violence. The kingdom’s legacy is also marked by the Kalinga architectural style and its role in spreading Indian culture to Southeast Asia.
Kalinga dynasty
The Kalinga dynasty refers to the ancient rulers of the Kalinga region, located in present-day Odisha, India. This dynasty is historically significant for the brutal Kalinga War (c. 261 BCE) fought against the Mauryan emperor Ashoka, which led to Ashoka’s conversion to Buddhism and a shift toward nonviolent governance. Despite the war, Kalinga later flourished under its own dynasties, such as the Eastern Gangas, and left a lasting cultural legacy through its distinctive art, architecture, and maritime trade.
Somavamsi dynasty
The Somavamsi dynasty ruled over parts of present-day Odisha, India, from approximately the 9th to the 12th centuries. They are historically significant for consolidating the region and promoting the construction of notable temples, including the famous Lingaraja Temple in Bhubaneswar. The dynasty eventually declined and was succeeded by the Eastern Ganga dynasty.
Temple City
The “Temple City” most commonly refers to Bhaktapur in Nepal, or the Temple City of Angkor in Cambodia. Bhaktapur is a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its well-preserved medieval art, architecture, and numerous Hindu and Buddhist temples, with its history as a royal capital dating back to the 12th century. Angkor, the ancient Khmer capital, features the iconic Angkor Wat temple complex and represents the pinnacle of Khmer civilization from the 9th to 15th centuries.
City of Temples
The “City of Temples” is a nickname for Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, India, which was once the ancient capital of the Kalinga kingdom. It boasts over 500 temples, many built between the 7th and 11th centuries, showcasing exquisite Kalingan architecture, with the towering Lingaraja Temple as its centerpiece. The city’s history is deeply tied to its role as a major center of Hindu worship and culture, evolving from a sacred landscape into a modern urban hub.
