Odisha Famous Food Featuring Traditional

Odia Sweets

To Taste And Bring Home During Rath Yatra

Quick Summary

Visiting Puri for Rath Yatra or know someone who is? Then you must try some of the sweet fare among the Odisha famous food. Sweets fly off the shelves, especially during the festive period, and this religious occasion is no exception. Among Odia mithai, you might only be aware of chhena poda and Lord Jagannath’s favourite khaja, but there are many more sweets like rasagolla, rasabali, kheer mohan, malpua-rabri, chhena gaja and many more that are sold across the region’s and state’s sweetmeat shops. 

Deep Dive

Grab some Odisha famous foods this Rath Yatra with a list of sweets and local shops where they are sold. Known as Kalinga in its yesteryears, Odisha has the country’s most famous historic sights, like the Dhauli Giri (site of the Kalinga War), the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Konark Sun Temple and, of course, Puri’s Jagannath Temple. Its sweets are iconic because they have deep roots in the temple traditions of the region, and this is evident in the Chappan Bhog presented to the deities of the Jagannath Temple.

Many of the sweets offered to Lord Jagannath, especially khaja and rasabali, are still part of the temple's daily Mahaprasad. During the festival period, sweet shops around Grand Road, Swargadwar, and the temple lanes see a sharp spike in footfall as pilgrims and travellers pick up sweets to eat and share on the spot or carry home. Rath Yatra 2026 is scheduled for Thursday, July 16, 2026, on Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya, so shops in the temple zone should be visited either early morning or late evening to avoid the peak procession crowd.

How Chhena-Based Sweets Differ Across Odisha

Chhena poda gets most of the attention outside Odisha, but it's just one branch of a much wider chhena (fresh cottage cheese) sweet-making tradition that is a hallmark of the eastern part of the country, also Bengal. Rasabali, for instance, is made by flattening chhena patties, which are shallow-fried till they turn reddish-brown. Then they soak in rabri that is perfumed with cardamom. This dish originated at the Baladevjew Temple in Kendrapara and remains one of the Chappan Bhog items offered to Lord Jagannath.

 Kheer mohan follows a similar chhena base but is served in its own thick, reduced-milk concoction rather than being fried first, giving it a softer bite and a texture and taste like custard. Chhena gaja and chhena jhili take the same ingredient and go further into deep-fried territory, which tends to be dense, chewy, and sugar-coated rather than syrup-soaked. These are perfect for varying back home since the syrup and rabri are missing, and their chances of spoilage are less.

What Makes Khaja And Malpua Different

Khaja is the most recognisable of Odisha's temple sweets, made by layering refined flour dough and deep-frying it. What you get is a golden, flaky, crispy, snacky sweet that has a thin coating of sugar syrup. It's served at the Jagannath Temple as Sukhila Prasad (dry prasad), and this is what many carry back home and share among their loved ones as prasad. Puri's khaja comes in two versions – one fried in ghee, one in refined oil, and the difference in taste is quite noticeable; the ghee is richer.

Malpua is better known across the country as a Holi sweet, and the one Odisha makes is a tad different. While most of India makes malpua with a plain flour-and-milk batter, the Odia version mixes in mashed banana along with flour, cardamom, milk, and fennel, giving it a slightly fruitier, denser texture before it's fried and dipped in syrup. In Puri specifically, malpua is almost always served with a side of rabri rather than on its own.

Pitha Varieties Beyond the Festival Staples

Pitha might be a Makar Sankranti special and a winter staple across many regions like Assam, Bengal (pithe) and Odisha, but also a part of Rath Yatra celebrations. This rice preparation refers to an entire family of sweets made with rice, and the majority of them are sweet, with the Rath Yatra season being when the widest variety shows up on stalls. 

Poda pitha is the standout during this festival because it is unlike any other typical sweet and is close to what the West knows as cheesecake, but made with rice. It is not the same as chenna poda, which is made with chhena, a milk product. Poda pitha is a smoky, baked rice cake made with jaggery, coconut, nuts, rice flour, and urad dal, prepared as an offering to Lord Jagannath during Ratha Yatra. 

Arisa pitha is another variety, which is a rice-and-jaggery pancake which develops a crisp crust while the inside stays soft. Between the two, poda pitha carries the stronger festival association, while arisa pitha is the one worth picking up as a take-home item since it travels better.

Where to Find These Sweet, Odisha-Famous Foods

If you're visiting Puri during Rath Yatra and want sweets to take home or sample on the spot with your family or friends, these are among the most trusted stops. Prices are approximate and can vary during the festival.

1. Original Nrusingha Sweets

Address: Padmini Lodge, Jagannath Temple Rd, near Batalokanath Temple, Bali Sahi, Puri, Odisha 752001 | Timings: 7:00 AM to 10:30 PM | Cost for two: ₹250-₹500

This is one of the biggest sweet shops for purchasing and sampling the Jagannath favourite khaja, especially the pure ghee version, which is piled high in baskets at the shop entrance, bought by many devotees as prasad. You'll also find malpua, chhena poda, and other traditional Odia sweets. Ask for the freshly fried ghee khaja and request sturdy packing if you're travelling by train or flight.

2. Old Nrusingha Sweets

Address: Jagannath Temple Rd, in front of PP Palace Hotel, Bali Sahi, Puri, Odisha 752001 | Opens from 7:00 AM to 10:30 PM | Cost for two: ₹250-₹450

The OG Puri khaja shop, which is rated exceptionally, is known for its ghee khajas, as well as its courteous staff. This place draws recurring loyal customers, so make sure to head here early, especially during the festival, as there might be a crowd seeking the freshly fried khajas.

3. Senapati Sweets

Address: Dolamandap Sahi, Puri, Odisha 752001 | Timings are 7:30 AM-10:30 PM |  Cost for two: ₹200-₹400

This shop is known for khaja, chenna poda and classic Odia sweets made from pure milk. Reviews note the hygiene, quality of sweets and the good behaviour of the staff.

4. Behera Sweets

Address: Near Station Road, Ram Mandir Rd, Gajapati Nagar, Puri, Odisha 752002 | Open daily from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM | Cost for two: ₹250-₹500

This shop is known for its rasagollas, rabdi, chhena poda, gulab jamun, and other fresh milk sweets, as well as khaja. You will also find namkeen here, like samosas and vegetarian items, if you want a quick snack. This is a convenient stop for travellers short of time, who want a quick bite to eat and want sweets too.

5. Ganguram Sweets

Address: Located near Jagannath Temple Road/Beach Road area, Odisha 752001 | Timings are 8:00 AM-10:00 PM | Budget around ₹300-₹600 for two

A reliable option for a variety of khaja, from the ghee to the oil-fried ones, if you are close to the beach and want to head home soon. You will also find Bengali-style sweets and festive gift boxes, and it can be quite crowded during Ratha Yatra.

6. Old Ganguram Sweets

Address: Jagannath Temple Rd, Bali Sahi, Puri, Odisha 752001 | Open 24 hours | Cost for two: ₹250-₹450

This is a tiny stop very close to the temple for fresh khaja and quick takeaway packs. It remains open for extended hours, often 24 hours during busy periods. During Rath Yatra, this shop is perfect for late-night purchases when many others are crowded.

7. Kakatua Mistanna Bhandar

Address: Jagannath Temple Rd, Puri, Odisha 752001 | Timings: 7:30 AM-10:00 PM | Cost for two: ₹250-₹500

This sweet shop is most likely named after the cockatoo (kaaktua) kept at the shop, and it has more branches. They serve the multi-layered khaja, fried fresh, that the local deity adores, and are also famous for traditional Odia milk sweets, like chhenna poda. Try both khaja and fresh chhena sweets instead of buying only one speciality.

8. Narasingha Sweets

Address: Jagannath Temple Rd, Bali Sahi, Puri, Odisha 752001 | Timings: 5:30 AM to 10:30 PM | Cost for two: ₹250-₹450

One of the best places to grab feni khaja, you can buy the sweet here in bulk, which has rave reviews for its ghee-fried variety. It’s promiscuity to the temple draws record crowds, so plan your sweet buying spree. It opens quite early, which makes it perfect if you're heading to the temple at dawn.

9. Arta Bandhu Sweets

Address: Pipili-Konark Road, Nimapada, Puri district, Odisha 752106 | Timings: 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM (confirm locally before visiting) | Cost for two: ₹100-₹200 

One of the best places to try chhena jhili, a speciality of this home-in-the-wall sweet shop, is where it is served fresh. Grab other chhena-based sweets too, like chhena rabdi. It’s located on the Puri-Konark route, making it a convenient stop if you’re heading toward Konark Sun Temple. From Puri, it’s around 30-35 km away (45-60 minutes by road), so it works well as a quick sweet detour rather than a city-centre stop. 

10. Taste N Twist

Address: Barahi Lane, Sandhajaga, Puri, Odisha, 752001 | Open 9:00 AM-10:00 PM | Budget ₹150-₹300 for two

If your Rath Yatra pilgrimage left you too tired, then this delivery-friendly place might be the answer to your sweet pilgrimage. It is a popular local stop in Puri for khaja and chhena poda. Their crisp, ghee-fried khaja is the main attraction, while the shop also serves snacks and fast food items. It’s located close to the Jagannath Temple area.

Taste the Sweetest Odisha Famous Food This Rath Yatra

Shop timings for street-side stalls (Papodi, Ravi Mosa) are not official; you will have to find them as well. Any local who knows particular areas will be able to guide you, so it's worth a quick call-ahead confirmation before finalising your itinerary. Make sure you sample these sweets and also bring some home after your pilgrimage to Puri Jagannath and witnessing the grand Rath Yatra.