Archive · 25 Jul 2026
Poda Pitha: Sacred Offering to Lord Jagannath
Poda Pitha is a special kind of rice cake that is very important in the Hindu religion.
It is made with rice, black gram, coconut, jaggery, and spices.
The cake is wrapped in banana leaves and cooked slowly over a fire, which gives it a unique smoky flavor.
This cake is offered to Lord Jagannath, a very important Hindu god, during a special festival called Bahuda Yatra.
The story behind this tradition is that Lord Jagannath's aunt makes this cake for him as a sign of love and devotion.
The cake is offered at the Mausi Maa Temple in Puri, India.
The next time this will happen is on July 24, 2026.
Poda Pitha is a traditional slow-baked rice cake with a caramelized crust and soft, aromatic inside.
It is made from fermented rice and black gram batter mixed with coconut, jaggery, ghee, ginger, black pepper, and cardamom.
The cake is wrapped in banana leaves and slow-cooked over a wood fire or earthen oven.
Poda Pitha is offered to Lord Jagannath during Bahuda Yatra at the Mausi Maa Temple in Puri.
The tradition honors a divine promise made to Lord Jagannath's maternal aunt, symbolizing love and devotion.
- Who
- Devotees and Lord Jagannath
- What
- Poda Pitha, a traditional rice cake
- When
- During Bahuda Yatra, specifically on Friday, July 24, 2026
- Where
- Mausi Maa Temple (Ardhasani Temple) in Puri
- Why
- To honor a divine promise made to Lord Jagannath's maternal aunt and as a sacred offering
Religious Significance
Cultural Tradition
Spiritual Connection
Religious Significance
Poda Pitha is a sacred offering to Lord Jagannath, symbolizing divine love and devotion.
Cultural Tradition
Poda Pitha is a cultural tradition celebrated during the Rath Yatra, bringing communities together.
- Type of Dish
- Traditional slow-baked rice cake
- Main Ingredients
- Fermented rice and black gram batter, grated coconut, jaggery or sugar, ghee, crushed ginger, black pepper, cardamom
- Cooking Method
- Wrapped in sal or banana leaves and slow-cooked over a wood fire or earthen oven
- Significance
- Offered to Lord Jagannath during Bahuda Yatra
- Date of Offering in 2026
- Friday, July 24, 2026
- Temple
- Mausi Maa Temple (Ardhasani Temple) in Puri