“I Like ‘Pakhala”; My Favourite Food, Naveen Patnaik,CM,Odisha

Bureau,Odishabarta

Bhubaneswar: Pakhala, the most popular Odia cuisine, and my favourite, said Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

In a video message Patnaik said about the flavours of Odia cuisine and his favourite Pakhala.Odisha is a land of Lord Jagannath, who Himself is a Chhapanbhogi. I have a special liking for Odia festivals, different pithas and foods of Odisha. Even, I only serve Odia foods to the guests visiting my residence from outside. Odia cuisine has its own identity and I like ‘Pakhala’ the most.

WHAT MAKES PAKHALA SO SPECIAL

Pakhala Dibasa is celebrated every year on March 20. This event is observed to enjoy this Odia dish. Pakhaḷa is an Odia term for Indian food consisting of cooked rice washed or lightly fermented in water.

Pakhala is prepared with rice, curd, cucumber, cumin seeds, fried onions and mint leaves. Pakhala goes well along with potato, brinjal or fried fish. The traditional Odia dish is slightly fermented rice. The rice is cooked, water is added with a little bit of old pakhal.

Trinity; Lords Jagannath, Balabhadra and Maa  Subhadra Devi is offered Dahi Pakhala which (the water rice prepared with curd) during the scorching summer.