Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday attended the state-level Pakhala Paraba celebrations at Panthanivas, marking ‘World Pakhala Day’ and highlighting the cultural and nutritional significance of the traditional dish.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said pakhala is not just food but an integral part of Odisha’s culture and tradition. He noted that the festival aims to take Odia cuisine to the global stage and ensure that traditional food practices are preserved amid growing influence of modern dietary trends.
Recalling his childhood association with pakhala, Majhi said the dish is deeply rooted in everyday life and is also offered to Lord Jagannath in the form of “Tanka Torani”, reflecting the purity and simplicity of traditional living. He described pakhala as a “zero-waste” food and highlighted its probiotic properties, which help maintain gut health.
The Chief Minister said World Pakhala Day has evolved into a global celebration, with Odias across India and abroad observing the occasion and staying connected to their roots. He added that promoting such traditions is part of the government’s broader vision of a “Viksit Odisha” while preserving cultural heritage.
As part of the event, the Tourism Department prepared 1,177 kg of pakhala using 850 kg of rice in an attempt to enter the Guinness World Records for the largest serving of fermented rice. The prepared pakhala was distributed to over 2,000 people from underprivileged communities.
The programme also featured virtual participation from members of the Odia diaspora across 15 states and countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, Bahrain, and Singapore. The Chief Minister interacted with them and honoured chefs who have contributed to promoting Odia cuisine at national and international levels.
CM Majhi visited a food festival at the venue, where around 326 varieties of Odia dishes were showcased. He also joined guests in partaking in pakhala during the celebration.
Earlier today, Majhi took to social media to wish the people of Odisha on World Pakhala Day, describing pakhala as more than just food and calling it “the aroma of our soil, the pride of our traditions, and an integral part of the Odia way of life.” He urged people to preserve this legacy while strengthening Odia identity on the global stage.
Several dignitaries attended the event, including Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy, Deputy Speaker Bhabani Shankar Bhoi, Deputy Chief Ministers Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo and Pravati Parida, Forest and Environment Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia, Rajya Sabha MP Manmohan Samal, MLA Babu Singh, and Chief Secretary Anu Garg.
