Bhubaneswar, Mar 20: March 20, the Odias across the globe do celebrate Pakhala Dibasa with the flavor-full watery rice and a long list of mouth-watering, befitting side items of their choice. On this very special day Chief Minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik had hosted 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. The video of this sublime yet high-profile party 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 CM’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”.
While promoting ‘Ama Ghara Ama Handishala’ program 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, where CM can be seen relishing his bowl of Pakhala with its numerous unbeatable accompaniments.
‘ପଖାଳ’ ମୋର ପସନ୍ଦ। ସମସ୍ତଙ୍କୁ ‘ପଖାଳ ଦିବସ’ର ଶୁଭେଚ୍ଛା। #ପଖାଳଦିବସ #PakhalaDibasa pic.twitter.com/3bDfsxAz6Q
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) March 20, 2022
