Cuttack: Bali Jatra, one of the liveliest carnivals in Odisha is also a haven for foodaholics in the state. Food stalls dominate the Bali Jatra venue as much as joy rides and other booths of ethnic and rural crafts.

Notwithstanding the regular raids by Food and Health Inspection wing of Cuttack Municipal Corporation and seizure of 3.5 quintals of stale food at this mega fair over the past two days, visitors continue to make a beeline for food stalls to satiate their street food cravings.

Odisha Sun Times takes you through the delicious platter on offer at the fair.

Thunkapuri

publive-image Thunkapuri with chhena tarkari
Picture courtesy: Foodfindo community

Thunkapuri is available only once a year in Cuttack, exclusively during Bali Jatra. Cooks are specially hired by food stall owners to prepare it. Made from maida, thunkapuri is best relished when paired with chhena tarkari (cottage cheese curry).

Street food junction

publive-image Representative image of Kataki dahi bara

The quintessential trio of chat, gupchup and dahi bara come to the rescue after a long kiosk-browsing session at Bali Jatra. From chatpata chat to mouth-filling gupchup and Katki dahi bara, every vendor adds a little something extra in the condiments and masalas to stand out from the rest.

Non-vegetarian options

publive-image Egg chicken roll at Friend Food Corner
Picture courtesy: Foodfindo community

If you are hankering for non-vegetarian dishes after a month-long abstinence owing to Kartika brata, Bali Jatra offers an impressive line-up of chicken and mutton biryani, egg, prawn and chicken chops, rolls, chowmein, meat curries, etc. to relish and for takeaways, as well.

The variety

publive-image Lip-smacking delicacies at Bali Jatra
Picture courtesy: Foodfindo Community

One can find cuisines from across the state and country here. Amidst Berhampur mixture and pickles, Dhenkanal bara, Kendrapada rasabali, daal-baati-choorma of Rajasthan, dhokla of Gujarat, kachoris, shimla-mirch chops, mathura cakes, dine-ins of masala companies with made-to-order facilites are available. Those with a sweet tooth can throng stalls offering rasabali, cheenapoda, rasagola, kulfi and ice-cream.

Offers and discounts

publive-image Representative image of gola
Picture courtesy: indianstreetfood.co.in

The food stalls mostly have buy-one-get-one-free offer on their menu, especially for kulfis, ice-creams, golas (thandai) and colas. This allows visitors to gorge on food to their heart's content without burning a hole in the pocket.