Bhubaneswar: In a bid to promote Odisha’s iconic summer dish ‘Pakhala’ on the global stage, the state Tourism Department organised a grand state-level ‘Pakhala Parba’ at Panthanivas in Bhubaneswar on Friday.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi attended the event and described Pakhala as not merely a dish, but an inseparable part of Odisha’s culture and tradition.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said Pakhala Divas aims to popularise Odia cuisine worldwide and unite Odias amid the growing dominance of Western food culture. “This day reminds us that our traditional food must not fade away,” he said.
Recalling his childhood memories associated with Pakhala, Majhi said the dish transcends social boundaries and holds religious significance as well. He noted that Pakhala and Tanka Torani are offered as bhog to Lord Jagannath at the Shree Jagannath Temple, symbolising the purity and simplicity of traditional living.
Highlighting its health benefits, the Chief Minister said the fermented rice dish has probiotic properties that help eliminate harmful bacteria from the body. He also termed Pakhala a “zero-waste food,” underlining its sustainability.
Majhi further stated that World Pakhala Divas has evolved into a global celebration, with Odias across India and in countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Bahrain, and Singapore observing the occasion with pride. “Pakhala has become a cultural bridge connecting the diaspora with their roots,” he said.
As part of the celebrations, the Tourism Department prepared 1,177 kg of Pakhala using 850 kg of rice in an attempt to enter the Guinness World Records. The prepared food was later distributed among more than 2,000 underprivileged people.
Earlier, the Chief Minister visited an Odia food fair at the venue, where around 326 varieties of traditional dishes were showcased. He also interacted virtually with members of the Odia diaspora in 15 countries and felicitated chefs promoting Odia cuisine at national and international levels.
The event was attended by Deputy Chief Ministers Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo and Pravati Parida, Assembly Speaker Surama Padhi, Deputy Speaker Bhabani Shankar Bhoi, Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia, Rajya Sabha MP Manmohan Samal, MLA Babu Singh, Chief Secretary Anu Garg, among other dignitaries.
