Dahi Bara Aloodum - A double bliss

Yum Yum....Lip smacking....Savory....Dahi Bara ...Aloodum.....

It's a delectable gastronomy that combines two separate dishes together...Dahi Bara ...and ....Aloodum

The delicacy has been exuded through generations with a lot of childhood nostalgia. and now is one of the highlight of odia cusine that has a cult following.

For me, i can have it for breakfast, lunch and dinner.....:)

Like me there are a lot of people in Odisha who have a insatiable appetite for this delicacy

It is combination of Bara soaked in thin curd/buttermilk and aloo dum, a gravy of slow cooked potatoes. Served in bowl made of khalli patra, vadas are placed at the bottom and then topped with the thick aloodum gravy. Finally it is topped with Ghugni (white peas curry), coriander, chopped onion and bhujia sev.  Almost a perfect meal with carb from the potatoes, protein from the vada made from lentils and probiotic from the buttermilk.

The origin of Dahi Bara Aloodum is not well known but the trails of this legendary delicacy began from Cuttack which is still alive in the streets and alleys of that beautiful city. Over the years the cultural influence has played a pivotal role is developing the taste of Dahi Bara Aloodum over years.

For instance the the exclusive taste of Dahi Bara Aloodum in Cuttack has never replicated outside the city. Even within the city of Cuttack there are lot of variations of the delicacy which can't be veiled

• Raghu - Only Dahi Bara & Aloodum with some chilli spices 

• Ishwara- Dahi Bara, Sweet Dahi Bara, Aloodum, Ghugni, chopped onion, coriander and a lot of other good add ons

• Trinath - Dahi Bara & Aloodum that tastes like mutton gravy

Click on the links on the names above to try them when you are in Cuttack next. There may be few other places that serve better, just that i haven't explored all of them.

By blending the Dahi Bara with Aloodum, people of Odisha have blended Gastronomy with Culture which is double bliss.

Few of the social media activist took an initiative to celebrate 1st March as a day to celebrate Dahi Bara Aloodum Dibas, so lets join hands and keep the juggernaut rolling.

Happy Dahi Bara Aloodum Divas to all of you

Hunt for treasure….

Sunday morning...what woke me up...

“Daddy… we missed the treasure hunt .... my holiday assignment”….

It suddenly geared up all my senses… and I along with my daughter started bustling all around the place to find out where do we find the TREASURE……

Though we couldn’t find each one of them……

But what we enjoyed was the pursuit that will be cherished

Living the childhood is a real bliss, and when parents play along, kids knock out their real exuberance…

“Aa ka Ma Bai, Pana Gua Thoi, Pana Gua Tora, Masaka Dharama Mora” - Boita Bandana - Kartika Purnima

A night before Kartika Purnima, I thought of making a miniature boat for my daughter for the Boita Bhasani next day morning. In the making, my inquisitive little one put forward so many questions, that was flash back for me down the memory lane, that I once asked my parents.

While I was placidly facing all her intrigued quizzing, it was evincing enough for me to unfold the tale...

Odisha is soaked with a rich ancient maritime history. Traders known as Sadhabas used to sail off in huge boats called Boitas from the ports of Odisha to the distant ports of Bali, Java, Sumatra, Borneo (Indonesia) and Sri Lanka to trade silk fabrics, spices, perfumes and diamonds from Sambalpur river beds (Hirakud’s name origin proves it). The then Sadhabas, would take advantage of favorable winds and sea currents in the winters to sail their Boitas to distant lands. Their expeditions would traditionally begin on the day of Kartika Purnima, which usually is the full moon day in the month of November.

The Sadhabas were given hearty von voyage for the safe passage and well-being before the onset of their expedition by saying “Aa Ka Ma Bai……………” which symbolizes the Odia months i.e. Asadha, Kartika, Margashira & Baisakha. While the period from Asadha to Kartika was the season of outgoing journey and Magha to Baisakha was considered to be the season of return. Those days are gone now, but the memory is still alive. 

The memory of those expeditions are kept alive in the festival of Boita Bhasani & Bandana, and to reminiscence the unforgotten glory of the Sadhabas of ancient Odisha, miniature replicas of the sea faring boats are made. Men and women dress in traditional costumes, light lamps in the boats and afloat them in the nearest water body. 

A fair called Bali Jatra (“Journey to Bali”), is held and celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm on the banks of the Mahanadi River at Gadagadia Ghata in Cuttack. It’s an extravaganza of eight days that begins from day of Kartik Purnima. More than 1000 makeshift stalls showcase ethnic goods along with modern gadgets, food stalls and lot more, drawn from across the state and outside. Thunka Puri and Dahi Bara Aludum are the major gastronomical delights that attract many.