SOA University hosts ‘Pakhala Utsav’ to celebrate traditional Odia cuisine

Bhubaneswar: The School of Hotel Management at Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (SOA) Deemed to be University organised the ‘Pakhala Utsav’ on Wednesday, aiming to promote the traditional Odia cuisine.

Spearheaded by Saswati Das, vice-president of SOA, the five-day food festival intends to showcase the rich heritage of Odia cuisine, particularly focusing on ‘Pakhala’, a beloved dish in Odisha. ‘Pakhala’, consisting of cooked rice soaked or lightly fermented in water, holds a special place in Odia households and is cherished for its health benefits, especially during the summer months.

Professor Susanta Ranjan Chaini, the dean of SHM, emphasised the universality of ‘Pakhala’ across Odia homes, irrespective of economic status. The festival, running until April 7, offers visitors a chance to savour various versions of ‘Pakhala’ between 12 noon and 3 pm daily at the institute.