Bhubaneswar, Mar 20: In a major push to promote Odisha’s iconic summer dish ‘Pakhala’ on the global stage, the state Tourism Department organised a grand ‘Pakhala Parba’ at Panthanivas in Bhubaneswar on Friday. The vibrant event highlighted the richness of Odia cuisine and cultural heritage.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi attended the celebration and described Pakhala as an inseparable part of Odisha’s culture. He said Pakhala Divas aims to popularise traditional Odia food worldwide and unite people amid the growing influence of Western cuisine. Recalling his childhood memories, he emphasised that the dish transcends social barriers and carries deep emotional and cultural value.

Majhi noted that Pakhala and Tanka Torani are offered as ‘bhog’ to Lord Jagannath at the Shree Jagannath Temple, symbolising simplicity and purity. He also highlighted its probiotic health benefits and called it a sustainable “zero-waste food.”

The Chief Minister added that World Pakhala Divas is now celebrated globally, connecting Odias across countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, Bahrain, and Singapore to their roots.

As part of the event, 1,177 kg of Pakhala was prepared using 850 kg of rice in a bid for Guinness World Records recognition. The food was later distributed among over 2,000 underprivileged people. The event also featured 326 traditional dishes and virtual interactions with the Odia diaspora.

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