{"id":149839,"date":"2026-03-21T00:55:24","date_gmt":"2026-03-20T19:25:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/indusvalleytimes.com\/news\/?p=149839"},"modified":"2026-06-02T22:59:46","modified_gmt":"2026-06-02T17:29:46","slug":"odisha-celebrates-world-pakhala-day-cm-ministers-join-culinary-tribute","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/indusvalleytimes.com\/news\/odisha-celebrates-world-pakhala-day-cm-ministers-join-culinary-tribute\/","title":{"rendered":"Odisha celebrates World Pakhala Day; CM, ministers join culinary tribute"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"caps\"><strong>By Nalini Sahu<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Bhubaneswar, March 20:<\/strong> Odisha on Friday celebrated World Pakhala Day with enthusiasm and cultural pride, as people across the State\u2014and the global Odia diaspora\u2014came together to honour the iconic fermented rice dish that symbolises the region\u2019s culinary heritage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The centrepiece of the celebrations was a grand \u2018Pakhala Festival\u2019 hosted at Pathanivas in Bhubaneswar by the Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC). Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, accompanied by Deputy Chief Ministers \u2014 Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo and Pravati Parida \u2014 and senior ministers, participated in the event, relishing traditional preparations and emphasising the cultural centrality of Pakhala in Odia identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Adding scale to the celebration, the corporation mounted an ambitious bid for global recognition by preparing nearly eight quintals of Pakhala, using about 1,177 kg of rice, alongside an expansive spread of 356 traditional accompaniments. The effort, officials said, was aimed at securing a place in the Guinness World Records, with an evaluation team present to assess the attempt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWorld Pakhala Day is now celebrated across the globe. This unique initiative reflects our rich culinary legacy and collective pride,\u201d the Chief Minister said, expressing confidence that the record attempt would receive formal certification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For Odias, Pakhala is far more than a seasonal delicacy\u2014it is a way of life shaped by climate, culture, and community. Prepared by fermenting cooked rice in water and served chilled, the dish has historically sustained farmers and labourers through Odisha\u2019s intense summer, offering both hydration and nutrition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Typically accompanied by a variety of sides\u2014fried fish, badi (sun-dried lentil dumplings), bharta (roasted vegetable mash), saut\u00e9ed greens, curd, and an assortment of fried vegetables\u2014the meal represents a harmonious blend of taste and nutrition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Medical experts also highlight its health benefits. According to Dr Ashok Acharya of Hi-Tech Medical College &amp; Hospital, the natural fermentation process enriches Pakhala with beneficial bacteria. \u201cIt contains both prebiotic and probiotic elements that aid digestion, boost immunity, and help regulate metabolic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension,\u201d he noted, adding that overnight fermentation further enhances its nutritional value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Celebrated annually on March 20, World Pakhala Day has evolved into a powerful expression of Odisha\u2019s cultural identity\u2014promoting sustainable food practices, preserving indigenous traditions, and fostering a sense of community through a shared culinary legacy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Nalini Sahu Bhubaneswar, March 20: Odisha on Friday celebrated World Pakhala Day with enthusiasm and cultural pride, as people across the State\u2014and the global Odia diaspora\u2014came together to honour<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[46],"tags":[66,28299],"class_list":["post-149839","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-top-stories","tag-odisha","tag-world-pakhala-day"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Odisha celebrates World Pakhala Day; 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