The ear-piercing rituals of Odisha serve as a fascinating subject for historical study, offering valuable insights into the region’s cultural heritage and socio-anthropological dynamics. By contextualizing these rituals within the framework of Eros-Agro- ecundity practices, the paper explore the intricate interplay between ancient sexual rituals and their enduring significance in Indian society, with a specific focus on Odisha. It highlights the connection between these rituals and religious practices, particularly in relation to the region’s depiction of erotic-agro-fecundity in temple sculptures. The evolution of religious beliefs, influenced by processes like brāhmanization and sānskritaization, is evident in Odisha’s cultural landscape, marked by shifts in worship practices such as those concerning Jagannātha. It employs literary evidence to delve into the nuances of ‘agricultural sexual rituals’ and socio-sexual behaviors linked with various cults. Additionally, it explores the integration of these practices into diverse cultural events such as fairs, fasts, festivals, and ceremonial activities like ear-piercing.

Keyword: Ear-piercing, Rites, Erotic, Agriculture, Fertility, Society.

The paper is the outcome of two months field work in the Banki Athgarh region. The survey has yielded eight numbers of prehistoric sites from Palaeolithic to Neolithic. The study of Stone Age is very much important for establishing the past cultures and societies, thus the river Mahanadi has been well explored in this region and the gullies like Barajhara and Sankhajhara were also studied which falls in the Sapua River. The region is also covered with reserve forest like Haripuli and Subasi range. As we know that most of the study on stone tools were earlier confined to the districts like Mayurbhanj, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Indravati Basin and Phulbani region etc but through this survey it was found that the early stone age cultures were also predominate in the region of this part of Cuttack district especially near the palaeo channels and rivers and forest ranges which have some historical importance.

Keywords: Banki, Palaeolithic, Culture, Stone, Cuttack

Oraon identity encompasses their unique culture, animistic religion, forest-based livelihood, agrarian economy, kurukh or oraon dialect, bohemian participation in rituals and festivals, and communal identity. Oraon Identity has been preserved by their ancestors and passed to their successors through each generation. Each of the factors such as industrialization, modernization, acculturation, cultural and linguistic domination, westernisation and sanskritisation has contributed to the identity crisis of the Oraons. However, the marginalization and exclusion in past and contemporary social, economic and political sphere have taken the root position to accelerate this crisis process. Lag in culture has also marginalized to empower and establish in current society. Failure and negligence of evaluation of such factors and their relationships by administrative policies and state is leading to the loss of Oraon identity. As a result, Oraon people have shown a decline of linguistic representation, erosion of cultural elements and values, lack of employment, failure to participate in mainstream social, political and economic forums and dilution of religious identity.

Keywords: Identity, Oraon tribe, Ethnic group, Ethnic boundaries, Language

Stress has become an inevitable part of human life in recent period and it makes life more challenges and innovative. Stress is a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse circumstances. The employees are working in different organizations have to deal with the stress. IT employees are under a great deal of stress due to many reasons. The stress contributes to decreased organizational performance, decreased employee overall performance, decreased quality of work, high attrition rare and absenteeism due to health problems such as anxiety, depression, headache and backache. Today in business turmoil & in uncertainty, the organizations are finding it difficult to manage the stress of its human resources. Stress is the “wear and tear” of our bodies experience as we adjust to our continually changing environment.

Keywords: Stress, Stress Management Techniques, IT industry, Coping Strategies.

Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity (WHO, 1948).Adolescence is the phase of life between childhood and adulthood from ages 10 to 19.It is a unique stage of human development and an important time for laying the foundations of good health. There are 253 million adolescents in the age group 10-19 years in India (2011 Census).. This age group comprises of individuals in a transient phase of life requiring nutrition, education, counselling and guidance to ensure their development into healthy adults. Government of India has recognised the importance of influencing health seeking behaviour of adolescents. Adolescent Health encompasses changing transitions within multiple domains including the physical, social, emotional, cognitive and intellectual. Hill Kharia, locally known as pahari Kharia is a highland tribal group. They are a semi-nomadic group and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group. This tribe, which recorded a population of 1, 44,178 in Odisha as per the 1981 census is found in large concentrations in the two districts of the state namely Sundargarh and Mayurbhanj. There are various health problems of hill Kharia girls in study area, basically Reproductive Health, Nutritional problem diseases, blind belief practices etc. The Researcher did her Research in Jashipur block, Mayurbhanj. The Researcher selected 3 villages out of 5 villages and 30 houses randomly. The total population covered for this is constituent males and females. The Researcher did her Research work by applying different methods such as census and schedule method, observation method and interview method.

Keywords: Health, Adolescent Health, Hill Kharia Tribe, Problems of Girl Child in Study Area, Research Area, Sample size, Methodology.

Divine Botany: Unveiling the Religious and Cultural Importance of Plants in Odisha” explores the intricate relationship between flora and spirituality in the cultural landscape of Odisha, India. This review article delves into the profound religious and Cultural significance: of plants, shedding light on their roles in rituals, mythologies, and everyday practices. Through an interdisciplinary lens, it examines how plants are deeply intertwined with religious beliefs, serving as symbols of divinity, fertility, and prosperity. The article examines the specific botanical species revered in Odisha, such as the Sacred Fig (Ficus religiosa), Neem tree (Azadirachta indica), and Tulsi plant (Ocimum sanctum), among others, elucidating their roles in Hindu rituals and ceremonies. It also delves into the mythological narratives surrounding these plants, tracing their origins and symbolism in Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Furthermore, the review discusses the cultural practices associated with plants in Odisha, including rituals, festivals, and everyday customs. It explores how plants are integrated into various aspects of life, from agricultural practices to medicinal remedies, highlighting their multifaceted significance in Odia society. Overall, “Divine Botany” offers a comprehensive exploration of the rich tapestry of botanical traditions in Odisha, providing insights into the deep-rooted connections between plants, religion, and culture in the region.

Keywords: Divine Botany, Religious significance of plants, Flora and spirituality, Rituals and mythologies, Cultural practices.