Atta Kakara Pitha is one of the Mahaprsad offered to Lord Jagannth during Madhyanna Dhupa ( Midday meal at 12-30 to 1:00 PM). It is also called Sana kakara.

kakara pitha - atta kakara pitha - mahaprasad — କାକରା ପିଠା

Atta Kakara Pitha or Mandua Pitha is a traditional sweet cake that is offered as Mahaprasad to Lord Jagannath during Madhyanna Dhupa (midday meal) in the Jagannath Temple in Puri, India. It is also known as Sana Kakara. The Mahaprasad is served with a variety of sweets and cakes, such as Tipuri, Arisa, Mathapuli, Bada Kakara, Pheni, Chadhei Lada, cooked rice, Mung dal, Mariachi Pani, Jhadei Manohara, Tata Manhora, Khairachula, Mariachi Ladu, Paga Arisa, Takua, Gaja, Kadamba, Badikhirisa, Khiri, Pana, Pakhala (watered rice), and others.

During the Madhyanna Dhupa, the Mahaprasad is offered near the Ratna Singhasana with Sixteen Upachara, and the Sevayats engaged for the Sakal Dhup are only allowed for Madhyan Dhup and Sandhya Dhup. Typically, different types of sweet cakes are offered during this Puja.

The preparation of Atta Kakara Pitha or Mandua Pitha is a lengthy process that involves boiling wheat flour, ghee, sugar, and spices in water to make a soft dough. The dough is then kneaded and rolled into round shapes, which are deep-fried until golden brown. The ingredients like cheese ( chena ) , camphor, and shredded coconut are traditional and authentic ingredients in some versions of the recipe, such as Chena Mandua. Although this recipe doesn’t include these ingredients, they can be added to enhance the flavor and texture of the Pitha.

The Mahaprasad offered during Madhyanna Dhupa is considered sacred by devotees of Lord Jagannath, and it is believed that partaking of it brings blessings and good fortune. The Pitha is a favorite among visitors to the Jagannath Temple, and it is often taken as a souvenir by those who make the pilgrimage to the temple.

In addition to the Madhyanna Dhupa, Mahaprasad is also offered during the other daily rituals performed at the Jagannath Temple, such as the Sakala Dhupa, Sandhya Dhupa, and Balya Bhoga. Each of these rituals has its own unique set of offerings, and devotees flock to the temple to witness the elaborate ceremonies and partake of the Mahaprasad.

Overall, Atta Kakara Pitha or Mandua Pitha is a delicious and sacred sweet cake that holds deep cultural and religious significance for the people of Odisha. Its preparation is a labor of love, and its consumption is a cherished tradition that connects devotees with the divine.

Ingredients:

Atta Kakara Pitha

During the Madhyanna Dhupa, the Mahaprasad is offered near the Ratna Singhasana with Sixteen Upachara, and the Sevayats engaged for the Sakal Dhup are only allowed for Madhyan Dhup and Sandhya Dhup. Typically, different types of sweet cakes are offered during this Puja.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 25

Total Time 40

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine Odia Cuisine

Calories 200 kcal

Ingredients

1/2 cup Wheat flour
Water cup Water
1 tsp Ghee
1/3 cup Jaggery or powdered khand
1/2 tsp Cardamom/elaichi
1/2 tsp Black pepper powder
Oil for frying

Instructions

Bring water to boil in a pan and add jaggery or powdered khand, and cardamom.
Once the mixture starts boiling, add wheat flour to it and mix well.
Add ghee to the mixture and let it cook for 10 minutes without stirring.
After 10 minutes, stir the cooked atta using a rolling pin until it forms a soft dough.
Knead the dough well for 10 minutes until it reaches a soft dough consistency.
Take a small portion of the dough and shape it into a ball.
Roll the ball into a flat disc, about 1/2 cm thick.
Cut the disc into round shapes using a glass or cookie cutter.
Heat oil in a deep frying pan on low-medium heat.
Fry the round pieces of dough in the hot oil until they turn golden brown.
Remove the fried kakara pitha from the oil and place them on paper towels to absorb excess oil.
Serve the hot and soft kakara pitha as a snack or dessert.

Notes

Based on the steps involved, here’s an estimate of the prep time and cook time for making Atta Kakara Pitha:

Prep Time: 15 minutes (including boiling water and kneading dough)
Cook Time: 20-25 minutes (including frying the pithas)

Atta Kakara Pitha may contain Nutrition Value approximately:

Calories: 150-200 per serving
Carbohydrates: 20-25 grams per serving
Fat: 6-8 grams per serving
Protein: 2-3 grams per serving
Fiber: 1-2 grams per serving
Sugar: 8-10 grams per serving

NOTES

Here kakara made using jaggery but you can use sugar or powder khand.

Other variation is you can stuff the dough with jaggery-coconut mixture and deep fry it.

Once you add the flour to the boiling water do not touch it at all for 10 min. Let the flour cook in the boiling water, then you can easily make a soft dough.

Keyword dessert, kakara, mandua, snacks

Atta Kakara Pitha or Mandua Pitha is a traditional sweet cake offered as Mahaprasad to Lord Jagannath during the midday meal. It is also known as Sana Kakara and is prepared using wheat flour, jaggery, cardamom, black pepper powder, and ghee. The dough is kneaded, cut into round shapes, and deep-fried in oil until golden brown.cheese, camphor, and shredded coconut are traditional and authentic ingredients in some versions of the recipe, such as Chena Mandua. Although the basic recipe doesn’t include these ingredients, they can be added to enhance the flavor and texture of the Pitha.

In addition to Atta Kakara Pitha, various other sweets and cakes are offered as Bhog during the Madhyanna Dhupa Puja, such as tipuri, arisa, mathapuli, bada kakara, pheni, chadhei lada, cooked rice, mung dal, mariachi pani, jhadei manohara, tata manhora, khairachula, mariachi ladu, paga arisa, takua, gaja, kadamba, badikhirisa, khiri, pana, pakhala, etc. This Bhog is prepared near the Ratna Singhasana with sixteen Upachara and is performed in Shola Upchara. The Sevayats engaged for the Sakal Dhup are only allowed for Madhyan Dhup and Sandhya Dhup.

While the calorie and nutrition values of Atta Kakara Pitha can vary depending on the specific ingredients and quantities used, it can be a tasty and satisfying treat for those who enjoy traditional Indian sweets.

Atta Kakara Pitha – Sana Kakara