Odisha, has been awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) tag from the Registrar of Geographical Indications. This award signifies that the sweet treat known as Odisha Rasagola is a unique product of this region. The Rasagola is a dessert made from chhena, which is a variety of cottage cheese, that gets cooked in a sugar syrup. The appeal of the delicacy lies in the caramelisation of the sugar which results in its distinctive sweet, nutty flavour and brown colour.
Origins of the Odisha Rasagola
The Odisha Rasagola has been linked with the internationally-renowned Puri Jagannath Temple. The origin of this sweet dish has been a subject of dispute between Odisha and West Bengal, another Indian state known for their variety of rasgulla. This controversy came to rest when West Bengal was given the GI tag for their version of rasgulla in November 2017.
The first references to the rasagola can be traced back to the late 15th-century Odia Ramayana. This is an epic poem written by Balaram Das and it is also known as Dandi Ramayana or Jagamohana Ramayana. Balaram Das composed and performed this epic at the Jagamohana of the Puri Temple.
Evidence of the Long-Standing Popularity of Rasagola
A religious script known as “Ajodhya Kanda” gives a detailed description of chhena and chhena-based products including the Rasagola. Fakir Mohan Senapati, a famous Odia writer, in his piece titled Utkal Bhramanam (published on August 27, 1892), made mention of the widespread use of rasagola in Odisha at the time.
Furthermore, a poem written by Damodar Pattanayak titled ‘Bali Jatra’ painted a vivid picture of Cuttack’s famous, historic fair, Bali Jatra (Journey to Bali Island of Indonesia). In his writing, Pattanayak noted that sweet shops appeared attractive because of the presence of Rasagola and other sweets.
| Fact | Description |
|---|---|
| First Odia product to receive GI tag | Kandhamal Haldi, a type of turmeric |
| Location where Kandhamal Haldi is produced | Kandhamal district in Odisha |
| The tribe responsible for producing Kandhamal Haldi | Tribal farmers |
Odisha’s Rich Culinary Heritage
The Geographical Indication (GI) tag awarded to Odisha Rasagola has brought this traditional dish into global limelight again. With its rich heritage and unique flavor profile, Odisha continues to celebrate its culinary legacy on the world stage.
