Odisha's Rasagola & Rasabali

What does this make you feel? Apart from being extremely appetising, the Rasagola and Rasabali have religious significance too in the context of Lord Jagannath.

?Odisha's Rasagola began its life as Khira Mohan at Puri and later the technique of preparing the most authentic version of it was transferred to a small village called Pahala on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar.

These are Lord Jagannath's favourite dishes without a doubt. During Niladri Bije, when the Lord returns to His abode after 9 days after visiting his birthplace, He offers Rasagola to Goddess Laxmi who is angry by his absence. Similarly Rasabali is part of Lord Jagannath's Chhappana Bhoga.

Today, the auspicious Bahuda Jatra, is therefore the perfect day to make a post on these absolutely delightful sweets which are a favourite across Odia homes. These are things we have always craved for and looked forward to whenever anyone visited the house, especially the Rasagola.

Odisha's rasagola is soft, and melts in mouth without needing to put teeth pressure, unlike other chewy varieties. Also it's brownish in colour, the sugar syrup is much thicker and the softness comes from the fact that the 'chhena' water is not completely drained out during preparation.

On this last day of Bahuda, the Lord is finally allowed into the temple only after He pacifies the angry Ma Laxmi with nothing less than Rasagola. In all likelihood this tradition has persisted for centuries and this sweet couldn't be an invention of a confectioner as late as nineteenth century. If Odisha's cultural scholar Asit Mohanty is to be believed, the 15th Century Odia Dandi Ramayana mentions the word Rasagola. It's written by Odia medieval poet Balaram Das. Plus contrary to claims made by others, the 'Chhena' or Cheese was known to us much before the Portugese arrived in India. It's ridiculous that a culture as old as Odia, which have gone to great lengths in culinary traditions, whose language is so vast and ancient, have to learn the art of making 'Chhena' from Europeans.

Anyway, what a sweet and what an auspicious day to celebrate our eternal love for this delectable dish.

HAPPY NILADRI BIJE AND HAPPY RASAGOLA DIVASA, a day that is so special for us, whether from religious angle or culinary.

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