Bhubaneswar, Mar 20: Odisha is observing Pakhala Dibasa today, a day dedicated to celebrating the state’s most beloved traditional dish, Pakhala.

The occasion was marked with heartfelt messages from leaders who emphasized the cultural and emotional significance of this simple yet iconic food.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan highlighted the deep-rooted connection between Pakhala and Odia life.

Read More: Odisha Parba to Showcase Odia Art, Culture and Cuisine in Delhi

“Pakhala is an inseparable part of Odia lifestyle. Its connection with Odisha’s agriculture and tradition is unbreakable. It is not just a dish, but rather a symbol of our pride and identity,” he said, underscoring how the dish reflects the agrarian ethos of the state.

Read More: From Srimandir to Streets, 'Pakhala' Takes Centre Stage as Odisha Celebrates its Coolest dish

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi also extended greetings to Odias across the globe.

Taking to X, he said: “Pakhala is not just a delicious food, it is the fragrance of our soil, the pride of our tradition, and an inseparable part of Odia lifestyle. On the occasion of ‘Pakhala Dibasa’ today, heartfelt greetings and best wishes to all Odias living in Odisha and in every corner of the world. Let us preserve the glory of this traditional food and strengthen Odia identity in the global arena”.

ପଖାଳ କେବଳ ଏକ ସ୍ୱାଦିଷ୍ଟ ଖାଦ୍ୟ ନୁହେଁ, ଏହା ଆମ ମାଟିର ବାସ୍ନା, ଆମ ପରମ୍ପରାର ଗୌରବ ଏବଂ ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଜୀବନଶୈଳୀର ଏକ ଅଭିନ୍ନ ଅଙ୍ଗ।

ଆଜି 'ପଖାଳ ଦିବସ' ଅବସରରେ ସମସ୍ତ ଓଡ଼ିଶାବାସୀ ଓ ବିଶ୍ୱର କୋଣ ଅନୁକୋଣରେ ରହୁଥିବା ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାଇଭଉଣୀମାନଙ୍କୁ ଅନେକ ଅନେକ ଶୁଭେଚ୍ଛା ଓ ଶୁଭକାମନା।

ଆସନ୍ତୁ, ଆମର ଏହି ପାରମ୍ପରିକ ଖାଦ୍ୟର ଗୌରବକୁ… pic.twitter.com/t15P7hH3zO

— Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) March 20, 2026

Celebrated annually, Pakhala Dibasa has become a symbol of cultural unity, reminding Odias everywhere of their heritage and the enduring pride in their traditional cuisine.