Minister Praises Odisha’s Iconic Dessert; Locals Feel Proud For State’s Rich Culinary Heritage

Bhubaneswar : Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s Odisha tour took a delightful turn on Monday evening when he made an impromptu halt at a famous sweet shop in Pahala, near Bhubaneswar, to savour the state’s celebrated Pahala Rasagola.

Accompanied by Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Chouhan stopped by the shop while returning from an official engagement in Cuttack. The duo sampled the freshly made syrupy delicacy as locals gathered around to greet them warmly.

Shopkeepers served the leaders steaming hot rasagolas — a dessert deeply rooted in Odisha’s culture and temple traditions. Visibly impressed, Chouhan praised the sweet as “extremely soft, flavourful and unmatched.” He enjoyed multiple servings and even purchased a few boxes to take home.

Later, the Union minister shared a short video of his visit on social media, lauding the craftsmanship behind the dessert. The clip quickly went viral, drawing hundreds of appreciative comments from Odisha proud to see their beloved sweet in the national limelight.

Deputy Chief Minister Singh Deo also posted on X, describing the rasagola as “more than just a dessert- a symbol of Odisha’s culinary heritage, steeped in tradition, devotion, and craftsmanship.” He noted that the sweet’s distinct flavour, refined over generations, “ carries the fragrance of Odisha across the globe.”

Residents of Pahala, a stretch of sweet shops along NH-16 between Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, expressed joy over the high-profile visit, saying it renewed attention to the Geographical Indication (GI) tag of Pahala Rasagola and its contribution to local livelihoods.

The stopover came during Chouhan’s two-day official visit to Odisha, where he participated in several agricultural programmes. On November 10, he attended state-level events promoting millet cultivation, interacted with millet farmers, and reviewed progress under the Shri Anna (millet) mission.