Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik and other dignitaries Thursday greeted the people of the state on the occasion of ‘Pakhala Divas’, a day when the state’s staple food is cherished by its citizens.
‘Pakhala’, a traditional Odia dish made from rice, has its roots in Jagannath Temple in Puri, researcher Bhaskar Mishra said.
Popular in summer, it is believed to aid digestion and keep the body cool, he added.
Mishra said according to tradition, Pakhala is prepared by keeping leftover rice in an earthen pot with water. After a few hours, the rice ferments and turns into a proper ‘Pakhala’, he added.
Various types of ‘Pakhala’ include ‘Basi’ (fermented), ‘Saja’ (fresh), ‘Dahi’ (curd), ‘Sugandhi’ (fragrant) and ‘Meetha’ (sweet) Pakhala.
Chief Minister Majhi described ‘Pakhala’ as a symbol of Odia culture and pride, calling it his favourite dish.
Taking to X, Majhi said, “Pakhala is a symbol of Odia culture and linked to the state’s ‘Asmita’ (pride). It is my favourite. The Pakhala is an integral part of the Odia lifestyle. Heartiest greetings to everyone on the occasion of ‘Pakhala Divas’ today.”
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଖାଦ୍ୟ ସଂସ୍କୃତିର ଅନନ୍ୟ ବିଭବ ତଥା ଆମ ଅସ୍ମିତାର ପ୍ରତୀକ ‘ପଖାଳ’ ମୋର ଅତି ପ୍ରିୟ। ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଜାତିର ଜୀବନଶୈଳୀରେ ଅଭିନ୍ନ ଅଂଶ ଏହି ପଖାଳ। ଆଜି 'ପଖାଳ ଦିବସ' ଅବସରରେ ସମସ୍ତଙ୍କୁ ହାର୍ଦ୍ଦିକ ଅଭିନନ୍ଦନ। pic.twitter.com/Xv9tqjLFOX
— Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) March 20, 2025
BJD president and LoP Naveen Patnaik said, “Pakhala has a unique place in Odia tradition. I greet all on the #Pakhala Divas.”
ଓଡ଼ିଆଙ୍କ ମନ ବୁଝେ ପଖାଳ କଂସା। ଆମ ଖାଦ୍ୟ ପରମ୍ପରାରେ ଏହାର ସ୍ଥାନ ସ୍ୱତନ୍ତ୍ର। କଂସାଏ ପଖାଳରେ ଥାଏ ବଡ଼ ଆନନ୍ଦ। ସଭିଙ୍କୁ ପ୍ରିୟ ପଖାଳ ଦିବସର ଶୁଭେଚ୍ଛା। #PakhalaDibasa pic.twitter.com/ZuXAIO20Ha
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) March 20, 2025
‘Pakhala’ is typically enjoyed with side dishes like fried potatoes, brinjal, greens and fish fry.
Once considered a staple of the poor, ‘Pakhala’ has gained popularity in high-end restaurants, with special ‘Pakhala Thalis’ being served in five-star hotels.
PTI
