When Odisha CM Hosted Pakhala Party For National Leaders, Lunch Served On Banana Leaves & Brass Cutlery

Bhubaneswar: With Odias across the globe celebrating Pakhala Dibasa on March 20, a picture of Chief Minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik hosting a Pakhala party for former President Pranab Mukherjee, BJP patriarch Lal Krishna Advani, former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda and CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury has started doing the rounds on social media.

The leaders had visited Bhubaneswar in 2018 for the release of ‘The Tall Man Biju Patnaik’, a book on Naveen’s father, and had lunch with him at Naveen Nivas.

The CM also discussed the traditional Odia foods – Pakhala, Piaja Peetha, Saga Badi, Sajana Chhuin Bhaja and Chhena Poda – served to them on banana leaves and brass cutlery for lunch, with the eminent dignitaries.

Naveen revisited the Pakhala lunch last year and tweeted: “It is always a pleasure to relish Odia cuisine, especially my favourite Pakhala, which I have a special liking for. Remember fondly the appreciation of guests from outside the state and country whenever we served them Pakhala. Wishing you all a happy Pakhal Dibasa (sic).”

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While promoting ‘Ama Ghara Ama Handishala’ programme by Odisha Tourism in 2020, the CM also spelt out the list of his favourite food items.

“Odisha is a land of Lord Jagannath, who Himself is a Chhapanbhogi. I have a special liking for Odia festivals, different pithas and food of Odisha. Even, I only serve Odia food to the guests visiting my residence from outside. Odia cuisine has its own identity and I like ‘Pakhala’ the most,” he said.

Another video was shared on Sunday on his official Twitter handle and Naveen can be seen relishing his bowl of Pakhala with its numerous accompaniments.