To take an edge over neighbouring West Bengal, the Odisha Government has claimed that Rasagola is available in the State since more than 600 years.
Odisha’s claim of at least 600 years is against West Bengal’s evidence of Rasagola’s origin since 200 years.
Science and Technology Minister Pradeep Kumar Panigrahi has said this unique sweet has been available in the State's mutts and temples for centuries. His claim is based on the interim report of the three panels set up by the State Government.
"The committees, in their report, have stated that there is conclusive evidence on the use of Rasagola in Odisha for a long time. This sweet dish was prepared by several mutts and temples in the State about 600 years ago," he said.
Panigrahi said there are evidences supporting Odisha's claim over Rasagola in epics like Mahabharata, the one written by Sarala Das, 'Dandi Ramayan' and also in Madala Panji, the ancient text used by the 12th-century Shree Jagannath Temple.
"Even we have evidence regarding availability of Rasagola in Odisha when Adi Shankaracharya visited the Shree Jagannth Temple," Panigrahi said.
Both Odisha and West Bengal have been claiming that Rasagola originated from their States. Both have been trying to get Geographical Indication (GI) tag over Rasagola.
Panigrahi, however, said the committees require one more month to submit their final report in this connection. "We will take our next course of action after the committees submit their final report," he said.
The first committee, comprising seven members, would submit facts on the origin of Rasagola while the second four-member committee would study the contention of the West Bengal Government to stake its claim over the origin of the sweet for getting GI status.
The six-member third committee would do necessary documentation in support of the Odisha Government to place before the Centre to stake claim for patent over Rasagola and GI tag for it.