Enduri Pitha #Mahaprasad #AToZChallenge

The food offering (bhoga/prasad) to Lord Jagannath is called Mahaprasad. 

There are varieties of Mahaprasad in the Shree Jagannatha Temple, Puri, Odisha. 

Some of them are listed in this blog post- 115 varieties of Mahaprasad.

Shreekhetra Puri is the "bhoga khetra".

It is the Dhaam where Shree Jagannatha, the Head of the Universe, eats.

Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri, Odisha

In the culinary tradition of the Puri Temple, 'Chhapan Bhog' (56 Bhog) is a well-known name. 

However, the number of bhoga is much more than 56.

Enduri Pitha is a food item that is also listed. 

Three types of Enduri are mentioned namely- Enduri, Nakhyatra Enduri and Mua Enduri.

Six numbers of Enduri along with other bhog are offered every morning to the deities as the 'Sakala Dhupa'.

Yes! Each morning! 

Enduri Pitha is a part of the breakfast meal of the deities.

Enduri Pitha offered as Sakala Dhupa in Shree Jagannath Temple

Enduri Pitha is prepared by using a soaked and ground paste of Urad (Biri) dal. A mix of thinly sliced and chopped coconut, crushed pepper, and a pinch of Hing (Asafoetida) and salt are added. 

Enduri Pitha is prepared in the traditional process at the Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri.

All the above information has been shared after discussion with Sebayat of Shreemandira, Sri Biswanath Samantara, and eminent Shree Jagannatha sanskruti researcher and writer, Dr. Bhaskar Mishra.

The above image is of the Enduri Pitha that was displayed in the exhibition held at Bhubaneswar in 2017-

http://www.anitaexplorer.com/2017/12/115-varieties-of-bhog-of-shree.html

Odia households prepare Enduri Pitha with a slight variation. 

Soaked and ground paste of raw rice is also used along with Urad dal to prepare the batter. 

Grated Coconut and other ingredients mixture is prepared with jaggery/molasses, which serves as filling inside the batter that is set and steamed inside Turmeric leaves. 

The mixture recipe may vary from home to home. Some use chhena (cottage-cheese) too as filling.

As Turmeric is called 'Haladi' and leaves are called 'Patra' in Odia, such preparation is also called 'Haladi Patra Pitha'.  

After steaming, the leaves are removed, revealing the soft and delicious Enduri Pitha that is eaten!

This variety is prepared during a festival of Odisha named Prathamastami which is celebrated in Odia homes for the well-being and prosperity of the eldest child of the family.

Haladi has several health benefits. And Haladi Patra Pitha protects the health of the eldest child and for all in the family.

Odisha has high quality Turmeric. 

More than 12,000 farmers in the Kandhamal district of Odisha are associated with Turmeric cultivation. Kandhamal Haladi is famous as it is organic and much in demand. 

Other districts in the tribal belt of Odisha also cultivate it.

Post for my second #atozchallenge. E for Enduri

My Theme is- "Odisha- The Soul of Incredible India".
Odisha is a state in the eastern part of India. Have you visited Odisha and India? 

I will be sharing some glimpses from Odisha. Do keep reading and discovering!