TV
Odisha celebrated Rasagola Dibasa on Tuesday (July 8), marking the unique tradition tied to Lord Jagannath’s Niladri Bije and typically linked to rituals of the 12th-century Vaishnavite shrine. Rasagola Dibasa was observed across the State to uphold Odia Pride.
Also Read: Rasagola Dibasa: A sweet celebration of faith and heritage
The offering of Rasagola is not merely a culinary custom but a reflection of Odia tradition, faith, and the sweet's historical significance. Across Odisha, the day is marked with utter devotional fervour, community events, sweet distribution, and cultural programmes emphasising Rasagola’s iconic place in Odia Pride (Odia Asmita).
The people of Odisha send Rasagola offerings to the deities from different parts of the State. Residents from Choudwar and Salepur today boarded a bus and headed towards Puri to offer Rasagola to the Holy Trinity in Puri.
These cherished rituals symbolise the offering of Rasagola to Goddess Lakshmi, signifying reconciliation and the deep cultural significance of the sweet in Odia heritage.
This day is observed every year as Rasagola Dibasa, a celebration deeply rooted in Odisha’s cultural and religious traditions. Observed on the occasion of Niladri Bije — the return of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra to sanctum sanctorum of the temple in Puri after Rath Yatra (9-day annual sojourn of the sibling deities) — this day holds a special emotional and spiritual resonance for devotees of Jagannath culture.
According to tradition, Goddess Lakshmi, upset about being left behind during the Rath Yatra, initially denies Lord Jagannath entry back into the temple. To appease her, Lord Jagannath offers Rasagola, a sweet made of cottage cheese and sugar syrup. This gesture, known as Manabhanjana, represents reconciliation and love between the divine couple.
Beyond its religious context, Rasagola Dibasa is also a cultural statement — asserting the sweet’s Odia roots in the backdrop of earlier debates over its origin. For many, it’s a day of pride and celebration, linking food, faith, and folklore into one harmonious tradition.
While this ritual is centuries old, since July 30, 2015, the people of Odisha have been celebrating Niladri Bije as Rasagola Dibasa, a day dedicated to the iconic sweet.
Odisha’s Rasagola was awarded the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag on July 29, 2019, in recognition of its unique identity and further affirming its place of origin.
“We are immensely happy that the Rasagola which we are carrying will be offered to the Lords and thereafter the Prasad will be distributed among devotees,” some locals said.
