Bhubaneswar: Pakhala, the quintessential fermented rice dish of Odisha, has officially entered the Guinness World Records. To celebrate the popularity of this traditional summer staple, the State Tourism Department organized a mega state-level ‘Pakhala Parba’ (Pakhala Festival) at Panthanivas, Bhubaneswar.
The highlight of the event was the preparation of a massive 1,174 kilograms of Pakhala, made using 850 kilograms of rice. This feat successfully secured a place in the Guinness World Records, drawing attention to Odisha’s rich culinary traditions on a global stage.
Attending the event, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed that Pakhala is not merely a meal but an inseparable part of Odia culture and identity. He emphasized that the primary goal of celebrating ‘Pakhala Dibas’ is to promote Odia cuisine internationally and ensure that traditional foods are not lost to the rising influence of Western food culture.
Sharing emotional anecdotes from his childhood, the Chief Minister said, “Pakhala is not just a ‘poor man’s food’; it is the favorite of Lord Jagannath. In the Puri Srimandir, ‘Tanka Torani’ and Pakhala are offered to the Lord as Bhoga.” He further highlighted that Pakhala is a unique ‘Zero Waste’ food, reflecting the sustainable lifestyle of the Odia people.
The Chief Minister noted that the celebration of Pakhala Dibas has now transcended the boundaries of Odisha, becoming a global festival celebrated by the Odia diaspora across the world. “It has become a medium to connect Odias living abroad with their roots,” he added.
During the program, CM Majhi expressed his gratitude to the farming community and urged the younger generation to understand and value Odia traditions. He stated that preserving ancient culture while moving firmly toward modernity is the core vision of his government’s ‘Viksit Odisha’ (Developed Odisha) initiative.
The event concluded with the message that the government’s continuous efforts to honor Odisha’s heritage have instilled a new sense of hope and pride in the hearts of every Odia.
