Odisha’s Top 7 Festival Foods You Can Relish On Special Occasions

Just like other Indian states, Odisha has its own traditions, cultures, and culinary richness.

Let's explore the state’s delicious festival foods that you can enjoy on special occasions!

Poda pitha - Raja: Odias celebrate the end of the summer and the beginning of monsoon as Raja. On this day, Poda Pitha is prepared using ground black gram, rice, and coconut.

Haladi Pitha – Prathamashtami: Made from the batter of black gram and rice flour, with a filling of coconut, jaggery, cardamom, etc., and fragrance of turmeric leaves, this sweet delicacy is made during Prathamashtami in Odisha.

Manda, Kakara - Manabasa Gurubar: Many delicacies like Manda pitha, chakuli, kakara pitha, etc., are offered as prasad to Goddess Lakshmi in every Odia household on Manabasa Gurubar.

Kanji - Kanji Anla Osha: It’s made from boiled rice and curd and serves a tantalizing flavour with a cooling sensation.

Makar Chaula - Makar Sankranti: This delicious and nutritious dish is made using uncooked rice which is crushed and mixed with fruits like apple, coconut, jaggery, banana, etc., to celebrate Makar Sankranti.

Ghanta - Dutiya Osha: Made using all types of veggies and sprouts, this savoury Odia dish is a vegetarian’s heaven and a storehouse of nutrition.

Bela Pana - Mahabisubha or Pana Sankranti: It’s a refreshing drink, made using bel pulp along with fruits like banana, apple, and curd, cottage cheese, pepper, jaggery, to celebrate the Odia New Year.