Idli's Rise: From Obscure Dish to Global Culinary Star

Idli, a popular South Indian food, started as a dish in coastal Karnataka.

Its name comes from the utensil 'inḍra' used to cook it.

In the early 20th century, the Indian Railways helped Idli gain popularity in Tamil-speaking areas.

The Palakkad Iyer community started restaurants at train stations, offering Idli as a convenient food option for travelers.

Initially, Idli was not well-known, but it became a hit, replacing the traditional breakfast called Palāsu.

Now, it is considered a great example of Indian soft power and there are many variations of it.