Bhubaneswar, March 20: Odia people across the globe celebrated the Pakhala Divas, which is being observed on March 20 every year. This day is celebrated to enjoy the popular dish of Odia people, ‘Pakhaḷa’.
As the date comes on a Sunday this year, the celebration has doubled. Social media platforms flooded with pictures, video and greetings.
Pakhala is the Odia term for an Indian dish consisting of cooked rice that is washed or lightly fermented in water. The water of the dish is known as ‘Torani’. In order to make the traditional Odia dish more delicious, curd, cucumber, cumin seeds, fried onions and curry leaves are added along with the fermented rice.
There are many classifications of this dish such as Jeera Pakhala, Dahi Pakhala, Garama Pakhala and Basi Pakhala. Many city hotels and restaurants in the State offered this dish on this auspicious day.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan along with many political leader did not lose the opportunity to express their fondness towards ‘Pakhala’. Both the leaders have shared some pictures and videos of eating Pakhala on this day.
In a video, Patnaik can be seen enjoying ‘Pakhala’ along with small fish fries, green leaves fry and other Odia cuisines. Also, he said in the video ‘Pakhala mora Pasand’ (Pakhala is my favourite).
“Pakhala is a meal that is a hit on every dining table and is the one thing that every Odia family has in common. Greetings to all Odias and food lovers on #PakhalaDibasa. The humble, healthy & flavourful delicacy is a must-try, especially for those uninitiated to Odia cuisine,” tweeted Pradhan.
“#Pakhala – The Fermented Rice or Water Rice is part of every household in #Odisha . People of Odisha across the globe celebrate #PakhalaDibasa with much enthusiasm today.
“#Pakhala – The Fermented Rice or Water Rice is part of every household in #Odisha . People of Odisha across the globe celebrate #PakhalaDibasa with much enthusiasm today,” said Sujeet Kumar, Rajya Sabha MP.
Many Odia and non-Odia personalities but have love for Odisha and its culture like IAS and IPS officers have also shared pictures of eating the cool dish in their social media accounts.
“Today is #PakhalaDibasa …. Am going to have #Pakhala for lunch today…. amazingly delicious and one of the best food to have during summers… enjoy #pakhala #Odisha” said senior IPS officer Amitabh Thakur in a tweet.
“East or west Pakhala is the best,” says former DGP, Abhay.
Similarly, IAS officer Sanjay Singh shared his picture enjoying the dish saying… Happy Pakhala day.
“Delicious and healthy. #PakhalaDibasa #PakahalaLove,” wrote Cuttack DCP, Prateek Singh.