Bhubaneswar: Odisha is celebrating Rasagola Dibasa on auspicious occasion of Niladri Bije of Lord Jagannath today.

Pahala Rasagola traders association organised a programme to celebrate the day to mark rich culture of Lord Jagannath.

Gracing the occasion, Editor of Sambad, Odisha's leading daily, Soumya Ranjan Patnaik commended the initiative taken by the Pahala Rasagola traders association.

"If Rasagola is giving an identity to Odia community and it is related to Lord Jagannath, it is a good initiative indeed. I will exhort the traders to prepare sugar-free Rasagola for people suffering from diabetes. I had proposed to celebrate the day as Rasagola Dibasa to create awareness among people and uphold the identity. It should be celebrated properly retaining the quality of the sweet," Patnaik said.

Odisha Culture Minister Ashok Chandra Panda also stressed on maintaining the quality of Rasagola.

"As the Sun temple Konark and Jagannath temple have created an identity for Odia community, Rasagola is also part of our culture and its quality should be maintained," he said.

The traders association also urged the government to celebrate the programme at Pantha Nivas in Bhubaneswar next year.