‘Chhenapoda Dibasa’: Food Bloggers, Writers Throw Light On Sweet Delicacy At Get-Together In Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: In order to create awareness about ‘Chhenapoda’ (a sweet dish), a get-together was organised in Bhubaneswar on Monday.

The event was organised by the “Chhenapoda Srasta Bidyadhar Sahoo Smruti Surakhya Mancha” in association with Panini Educational & Cultural Trust, Foodies of Bhubaneswar, FoodFindo, and Odita Trust in Old Town of the city on the eve of Chhenapoda Dibasa which is celebrated on December 31.

Several Chhenapoda lovers, historians, and food experts attended it. They shared facts and their experiences about Chhenapoda, a popular baked cheese dessert in Odisha. Senior members shared about their childhood days and links with the sweet delicacy.

Some residents of Dasapalla came to the get-together with Chhenapoda from the same shop of Bidyadhar Sahoo that is now being run by his great-grandsons.

Convenor of the Mancha, Suresh Kumar Mishra; Bidyadhar Sahoo’s grandson Saroj Kumar Sahoo; residents of Sahoo’s village and representative of Jaripatana, Prabhat Kumar Jena attended. A Chhenapoda cutting ceremony was also held.

Writer and retired IAS officer Karunakar Patnaik was chief guest at the function. He has published a book about Nayagarh’s history in which he has mentioned Bidyadhar Sahoo’s name as the creator of Chhenapoda.

Speaking on the occasion, Anita Sabat said the GI documents of “Nayagarh Chhenapoda” must be updated as the real creator and place of creation are not mentioned. Also, wrong information has been provided that Chhenapoda is the favourite sweet of Lord Jagannatha and is offered in the temple.

“There must be correct representation in the GI documents about Chhenapoda. It should not be confused with Podapitha,” she said.

Among others, Prabir Kumar Pattanaik, Dr Umakant Mishra, Anil Dhir, Biranchi Narayana Mishra, Sudarshan Sahoo, writers Ritu Pattanaik, Amrita Sabat, Bidu Lata Jena, Debasis Sarangi, Aradhana and food bloggers also attended.