Odisha to Preserve Lakshmi Puran

The Odisha government has launched a major initiative to preserve and promote the Lakshmi Puran, a 15th-century Odia literary masterpiece written by poet Balaram Das. As part of the project, the state will develop a ₹28-crore Lakshmi Puran Cultural Corridor at the poet's memorial in Begunia village of Puri district and distribute one crore copies of the text across Odisha. The government also plans to translate the work into several Indian languages to expand its reach nationwide.

Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida said the initiative aims to introduce younger generations to the timeless values reflected in the Lakshmi Puran. Though rooted in Hindu tradition, the text is widely admired for promoting social equality and women's rights. It narrates the story of Goddess Lakshmi visiting the home of a Dalit woman named Sriya, challenging caste discrimination and emphasizing that dignity, devotion, and equality are more important than social status.