Indian History Awareness and Research – IHAR had joined hands with the Shakti Khumb 2026 team as a knowledge partner, held in Odisha between 14 Feb – 21 Feb. The Shakti Khumb 2026 theme was based on Shakti, Bhakti, Prakriti & Shringar wherein the participants were provided with a wholesome experience around the theme through multiple workshops, lectures, temple visits, bhajans, Yoga, meditation, iconographic & architectural historiography of Odisha covering multifaceted aspects through the lens of Shri Jagannath Culture & it’s tapestry with the Shakti tattva, Natyashastra, Jayadeva’s Gita Govinda & a few more important literary texts. The icing on the Cake was the Rudrabhishekam on the Maha Shivaratri evening coupled with Shri Jagannath’s Mahaprasad Sevan. We sincerely thank the Shakti Khumb team for this spiritual & cultural engagement with the vision of the next Shakti Khumb in sight.

We share our deepest gratitude to Smt Nilima Bhat , Dr Usha Radhakrishna, Shri Bharat & Smt Neha from the Shakti Khumb team. We also take this opportunity to sincerely thank all the participants for their active participation & IHAR office holders Dr Adyasha Das & Dr Kumar Aurojyoti for their immense contributions. It was indeed exhilarating to see participants joining from Latin America & Europe & their avid interest in the Sanatan Sankriti.

Libraries have always played a vital role in shaping political sentiments and nurturing nationalist ideas in India. In Bengal, one of the most significant institutions that fostered political and revolutionary awakening during British rule was the Chaitanya Library, located in Kolkata.

Founded in 1889, the library’s founding members included eminent intellectuals such as Gaur Hari Sen, Kunj Behari Datta, and Rabindranath Tagore.

Situated on Beadon Street, right beside the historic Minerva Theatre, the Chaitanya Library still stands tall and imposing. Within its walls lies a treasure trove that transcends time and history. Sadly, years of neglect and fading memory have left this iconic institution in decline. Once home to more than one lakh books and magazines, the library is now in urgent need of attention—not only to protect its vast collection but also to preserve its tangible and intangible heritage.

With this concern in mind, the IHAR West Bengal Chapter recently conducted a survey visit to the library. The team will soon prepare a detailed report on the state of the Chaitanya Library and explore ways in which its treasures and legacy can be preserved for future generations.

Special thanks to Manideepa Basu, Mouli Roy, and Prof. Utkalika Sahoo, Bangabasi Evening College for their time and support in initiating this important step on behalf of IHAR West Bengal Chapter.