The aromatic Kalajira rice of Koraput district in Bhubaneswar was awarded Geographical Indication (GI) status in January and will now become part of the ‘Mahaprasad’ of Jagannath Temple in Puri.
A team of 12 tribal women left for Puri with a quintal of rice after consecrating baskets at the Koraput Jagannath temple, also known as Sabarishrikhetra, on Friday.
“Kalajira rice will serve as Borg To brothers and sisters. This is an initiative to encourage cultivation of black rice variety,” said Prabhakar Adhikari of Jaivik Sri Farmers Producer Company Limited, which grows Kalajira rice in Koraput.
Sources said the Kalajira rice cultivated by the Koraput tribe for generations will also be later used in cooking the prasad or bhog offered at the Lingaraj and Ananta Basudev temples in Bhubaneswar.
Kalajira rice, also known as “Prince of Rice”, is an aromatic rice variety grown in Tola, Patraput, Pujariput, Bariguda and Mohu in the Koraput region favorable area. According to ancient texts, kalagirami can improve memory and control diabetes. It is believed to increase hemoglobin levels and body metabolism. This aromatic grain has antispasmodic, stomachic, carminative, antibacterial, astringent and sedative properties.
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