Koraput: A group of 12 tribal women from Odisha’s Koraput have started their journey to Puri Srimandir to offer black jeera rice to Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra. Henceforth, the aromatic black jeera rice will be included in Lord Jagannath’s mahaprasad.
It is worth mentioning here that black jeera rice recently received the GI tag and now efforts are being made to promote and disseminate black jeera rice in the national and international markets. The aromatic rice that has brought pride and glory to the Shabar shrine is now being used in the preparation of prasadam in the shrine.
The quality of black jeera rice is known to be superior to other varieties of rice and it is expected that if it is used in Lord Jagannath’s mahaprasad at the Srimandir, it will bring joy to the devotees and encourage countless farmers in the state to take up its cultivation.
A study conducted by the Department of Biodiversity at Odisha Central University in Koraput has shown that this grain, which is used to prepare Khiri and Biryani, is more resistant to natural light. While research is underway on the quality of 160 types of rice cultivated in the Koraput district, the popularity of black jeera rice is increasing due to its medicinal properties.
