Archive · 31 Jan 2026
Himalayan Cuisine Showcased at Republic Day Reception
On Republic Day, President Murmu hosted a big dinner at Rashtrapati Bhavan showing off delicious food from the Himalayan regions, including Kashmir, Ladakh, and the Northeast.
Chefs made special dishes like momos, thukpa, and black rice kheer using traditional recipes but in a fancy style.
They started preparing months before, even testing the food in Guwahati.
The event wasn't just about food - the decorations and music also celebrated the culture of the Northeast.
It was a big honor for the chefs to share their food with so many important guests.
President Droupadi Murmu hosted a Republic Day reception featuring Himalayan cuisine from Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and the Northeast.
Chef Prateek Sadhu designed the Himachal Pradesh segment, while Chef Aabhishek Bedi Varma led the all-vegetarian Northeast menu with a team of local chefs.
The menu included dishes like thukpa, momos, paknam, laphu tharo bora, singju, Axomia jolpaan, pumaloi, and desserts like black rice kheer and pati sapta pitha.
Preparations began in December 2025, with trial tastings in Guwahati starting January 6, 2026, requiring careful scaling of traditional recipes.
The event featured Northeastern cultural elements in decor, music, and invitation designs, creating a complete sensory celebration of the region.
- Who
- President Droupadi Murmu, chefs Prateek Sadhu, Aabhishek Bedi Varma, Deb Kumar Sarmah, Rituraj Borah, Parthajit Baishya, Abhinandan Das
- What
- Republic Day 'At Home' reception featuring Himalayan cuisine
- When
- Republic Day 2026 (preparations began December 2025)
- Where
- Rashtrapati Bhavan
- Why
- To celebrate India's regional culinary traditions and cultural diversity
- Event
- Republic Day 'At Home' reception hosted by President Droupadi Murmu
- Regions Represented
- Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Northeast (Ashtalakshmi region)
- Chefs Involved
- Prateek Sadhu (Himachal Pradesh), Aabhishek Bedi Varma, Deb Kumar Sarmah, Rituraj Borah, Parthajit Baishya, Abhinandan Das (Northeast)
- Key Dishes
- Thukpa, momos, paknam, laphu tharo bora, singju, Axomia jolpaan, pumaloi, pati sapta pitha, matabari peda, black rice kheer, narikol laru, til pitha, til laru, khapse
- Menu Style
- Contemporary fine-dining with traditional recipes
- Preparation Timeline
- Began in December 2025, first trial in Guwahati on 6 January
- Logistical Challenge
- Preparing 2,000+ pieces of black rice tekeli pitha
- Cultural Elements
- Decor, music, and invitation designs reflecting Northeastern culture
Sources
At Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Himalayas took the table
From Guwahati Kitchens to Rashtrapati Bhavan, This Family’s Legacy With Food Goes Back to 1998
From Momos To Black Rice Kheer: Full Northeast Menu At Rashtrapati Bhavan's Republic Day Reception
