Bhubaneswar: Nothing beats a bowl full of Pakhala and a variety of accompaniments! It is Pakhala Dibasa again, which is being observed since 2015 on March 20 to celebrate the favourite summer dish of fermented rice in Odisha. It is also a time-tested recipe to beat the scorching summer heat.
It is no coincidence that this day is celebrated on World Happiness Day and two days after World Sleep Day, because, for Odias across the globe Pakhala is synonymous with both ‘Happiness’ and ‘Sound Sleep’.
Saheed Nagar Durga Puja committee in Bhubaneswar celebrated the day by preparing ‘Dahi Pakhala’ along with 30 side dishes for around 1000 people. “For most Odias, Pakhala is close to heart. Not only the people, Pakhala is also served to Lord Jagannath in Srimandir. We have been serving Pakhala on World Pakhala Day every year. It not only tingles our taste buds, it is good for health too,” said an office bearer of Saheed Nagar Durga Puja Committee.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also greeted all Odias and those with a passion for sumptuous food on Pakhala Dibasa. “This simple, flavourful and humble fare is a hit for us Odias on all occasions. For the uninitiated, it is fermented rice mixed with curd. It is relished with an assortment of roasted/fried seasonal vegetables, green chillies and salad. A great immunity booster, Pakhala is a must-eat, particularly in summers,” he posted on X.
Many Odias and lovers of Pakhala, including politicians and sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik, also took to social media to express their love for this dish. Check the posts here:
ପ୍ରତିଟି ଓଡ଼ିଆଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ‘ପଖାଳ’ ଏକ ଆବେଗ। ଗଣ୍ଡେ ପଖାଳରେ ଥାଏ ଆହାଃ କି ତୃପ୍ତି। ଆମ ଜନଜୀବନରେ ଭରୁଥିବା ଏହି ଖୁସିକୁ ଆସନ୍ତୁ ଏକାଠି ହୋଇ ପାଳିବା। ସମସ୍ତଙ୍କୁ ପଖାଳ ଦିବସରେ ଶୁଭେଚ୍ଛା। #PakhalaDibasa pic.twitter.com/zZXrIrK5oA
— Pranab Prakash Das (@pranabpdas) March 20, 2024
Today is #PakhalaDibasa, a day dedicated for the unique #Odia delicacy- PAKHALA. One of My SandArt . pic.twitter.com/XrHoRjZ5tk
— Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) March 20, 2024
20th March is celebrated as Pakhala Dibasa every year to celebrate the beauty of Odisha’s comfort food in scorching summers – “Pakhala”.
Nothing can beat this humble meal with few side dishes. Here is my mouth-watering spread! 😋#PakhalaDivas #Odisha #OdishaCuisine #Pakhala pic.twitter.com/hRKdsHdAPP
— Anwesha Panda (@aanwessha) March 20, 2024
The Soul Food of Odia away from Odisha … pic.twitter.com/Vx61ANLezj
— Dr. RR Sahoo 👩🔬🔬 🇮🇳 (@srrashmi1) March 20, 2024
Pakhala in Odisha embodies a cultural experience.Many cherished memories r tied to this simple dish.Picture sitting with loved ones on the floor,relishing a bowl of Pakhala,followed by a siesta on a summer afternoon.
Videos by @Udayan_Sarathi @ABHIPSA26 #Pakhala #pakhaladibasa pic.twitter.com/lju7XivTpT— Ipsitaa Mahapatra (@ipsitamahapatr3) March 19, 2024
