Odia’s across the globe celebrate Pakhala Dibasa

It’s a celebration that has reached far and wide. Today, Pakhala Dibasa is celebrated by Odias residing across the globe too. In Odisha, people are marking the day with delicious pakhala preparations at home. Hosting parties for friends and relatives double the joys of this revelry surrounding the quintessential Odia dish. With social media handles getting flooded with wishes and photographs of the delicacy, it is not just a festival but has scientific significance too.The super delicious food is a unique preparation for the summer. Eating it helps prevent heat strokes. “This food item is intrinsically related to the Odia identity. Though people in other east Indian states also prepare this dish under various names, no one enjoys it quite like we do. It has immense health benefits. With temperatures hovering around 40 degree Celsius now, pakhala helps to combat the heat,” said Avinash Patnaik, a young agriculture officer.

Organising committees and individuals are holding special parties for celebrating Pakhala Dibasa. Hotels are luring people with celebratory discounts and offers. Earlier, it was termed as poor people’s food but of late many city people, hotels and restaurants have started promoting the food item. Now, it is trending. Celebrated every year nowadays on March 20, Pakhala Dibasa sees celebrities tweeting about the day. Renowned sand artist Sudarshan Patnaik shared a sand art while the US Consul General Hyderabad Katherine Hadda also wished the people of Odisha and shared her experience of tasting the food. Even Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik shared an old photo of him serving pakhala to some friends at home.

“It was interesting to see the festival trending on social media since morning. Not only people in Odisha, many Odia’s across the globe are also celebrating it by hosting parties for their Odia and non-Odia friends,” said Seetal Satpathy, an IT professional staying in Bangalore.