Bhubaneswar/Cuttack: With the mercury-level rising in April from the onset of summer, the Twin City denizens start making a beeline at various Sarbat and Lassi stalls. People from all walks of life enjoy these delicious drinks throughout the day.
There are different varieties of Sarbat and Lassi available in numerous stalls across the state which includes ‘Dahi Lassi,’ ‘Rabidi Lassi,’ Dahi-Rabidi Lassi,’ ‘Dahi Sarbat,’ and ‘Rabidi Sarbat’ among others. Nowadays, the Sugar Free variety of Lassi and Sarbat is driving people in the cities crazy.
Odisha has a long tradition of Sarbat and Lassi. While some are very new in this business, there are a few roadside stalls in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar which have been selling these drinks for decades now.
In the capital city, ‘Natural Lassi,’ comparatively a new stall, has been a magnet and drawing many people during the season. Similarly, people from many parts of the city are relishing varieties of Lassi and Sarbat at ‘Lingaraj Lassi Sarbat Stall’ at Saheed Nagar and ‘Maati Handi Lassi’ (Lassi in earthen pot) at Kalpana Square.
“Our stall is popular all across the State. People throng our stall in summers and we try to satisfy them and sell different types of Lassi here. We also give proper attention to cleanliness at our stall,” said Sushant Panda from Lingaraj Lassi Sarbat Stall.
“I live in Roorkee but whenever I come to my native place in Odisha, I prefer roadside Lassi stalls than any other drink because of the uniqueness of taste. Lassi and Sarbat are very refreshing and I prefer drinking Rabidi Lassi,” said Sonali.
‘Jai Shree Ram Sarbat and Lassi’ in Buxi Bazar, and Lassi stalls at Bajrakabati Road and Dolamundai Square are some of the major places to quench thirst for the people of Silver City. Generally, the Lassi business in Cuttack starts from Mahashivarati or Holi and continues till Rajo festival.
Despite having Soft drinks or cold drinks, people in the Twin City and other parts of the state breathe a sigh of relief by relishing the indigenous drink Sarbat and Lassi. Although Nor’wester rains in last few days have brought the temperature down, rise in temperature in coming days is expected to increase Sarbat-Lassi sale in Odisha.
Sarbat is generally made with hand-crushed ice, Mishri water or Siraa (Sugar syrup), Dahi (Curd), Rabidi and Chhena while grated coconut, dry fruits and cherry are usually used for garnishing the delisious glass of Sarbat. Whereas, in a glass of Lassi, the ice is crushed in a mixer grinder along with churned Dahi and Rabidi to give a unique test.