Dhenkanal Magji:- Iconic Tribal sweets of Odisha recently got GI Tag
What is Dhenkanal Magji?
Dhenkanal Magji is a Traditional & prestigious Chenna Laddu from the Dhenkanal District of Odisha. It is one of the 56 Bhog (Chhapan Bhog) offered to Lord Jaganath at UNESCO world heritage Puri Jaganath Temple in Odisha. The word “Dhenkanal” is one of the 30th District in the Odisha state where as “Magji” is a Traditional Sweet or Ladoo of Odisha prepared with Buffalo chenna by local Trible “Majhi community” in their Traditional way.
- It is not only delicious but also plays an important role in Odisha Culinary Heritage. It is often eaten not only during festivals like Sankranti, Durga pooja & Diwali but also served to the bride & groom during their wedding ceremony as a Symbol of Prosperity. It is also served to Lord Jaganath as part of the Chhapan Bhog prasad.
- This sweet is only prepared in Dhenkanal District of Odisha. There is No Reports of it being produced elsewhere in India.
Pic source:-https://odishaheritage.com/food/dhenkanals-famous-magaji-ladu-and-its-history/
What makes Dhenkanal Magji so Unique & Delicious
The Buffalo milk of Dhenkanal District of Odisha used for the preparation of Dhenkanal Magji imparts a Unique taste & flavor. Also, its method of preparation as well as skill of local tribal people for identifying the set point and hand rolling technique of buffalo cheese & sugar items makes it unique ladoo.
- “Dhenkanal” is one of the 30th District in the state of Odisha which is border by Kendujhar, Angul, & Cuttack district of Odisha. Due to Hilly & Mountainous area in this district, abundant of natural fodder for cattle feeding specially like buffalo & cow are available . Livestock rearing is the Main source of livelihood of local Majhi Trible people as they product huge quantity of Cow & Buffalo milk.
- The Buffalo milk of this particular district (Dhenkanal) is considered for its unique and superior nutritional richness in terms of fat & protein content as compare to any other buffalo milk in India.
- Its taste, flavor & preparation method makes it a Unique sweets of Dhenkanal District of Odisha.
As per the Geographical Indication Journal 178 published on 31st Aug 2023, the comparison of Nutritional Value of Buffalo of Dhenkanal district of Odisha & Buffalo milk from other area are as under:-
| Particulars | Buffalo Milk of Dhenkanal District of Odisha(per 100gms) | Buffalo milk from other area(per 100gms) |
| Fat content | 8.54gms | 5.454 gms |
| Total Milk solid | 18.78gms | 13.54gms |
| Protein | 4.01gms | 3.47gms |
| Calcium | 101mg | 82.85mg |
| Magnesium | 13.30mg | 13.06mg |
Characteristic of Dhenkanal Magji:-
This unique traditional sweet of Dhenkanal district of Odisha known for soft & rich texture of buffalo milk cheese with distinct characteristic in terms of Traditional method of preparation, Shape & Size, Appearance, Taste, Texture & Flavor.
- It is a Milk product and prepared from buffalo milk cheese, Sugar & Cardamon and shaped into small ball size.
- It has Unique Nutritional value that distinguish it from other cheese based Indian sweet items.
- Govt of India has recently awarded Geographical Indication Tag to “Dhenkanal Magji” of Odisha.
Traditional Method of Preparation: –
The process of Making Magji Ladoo require traditional skill with patience. It starts with boiling the local buffalo Milk and then curdled with vinegar to make Chenna. Make sure maximum water is drained out from the chenna. It is then sugar (400gms per kg of chenna) is added along with small cardamom powder (10-12Nos of cardamom per kg of cheena) and then slightly cook it till desired level.
- Transfer the cooked chenna & sugar mixture to the table to cool down slightly and then roll it into small balls of desired shaped with hand. The sugar acts as a binding agent to give the desired shape to the ladoo.
Brief history of Dhenkanal Magji:-
According to the Govt of Odisha website, Dhenkanal district owes its name to a Savara Chief named Dhenka who ruled the land. The livelihood of local people of this district was mainly based on buffalo rearing since British era. This region was the hinterland of buffalo milk production.
- The Mandar-Sadangi area of Gondia Block is believe to be the Centre of Origin of the Dhenkanal Magji ladoo earlier but now it has spread to the entire Dhenkanal District.
- According to the Odisha Govt website, Sh. Chakradhar Sahu of Sadangi village under Gandia block in Dhenkanal District was the first to prepare this sweet and has been passed through generation to generation to their family & local people of this region.
- As the preparation & sale of Dhenkanal Magji spread over the whole Dhenkanal district of Odisha, The Geographical Indication (GI Tag) tag has been awarded to the Dhenkanal district where the Magji ladoo is prepared by the local tribal people.
Geographical Indication Tag to Dhenkanal Magji
This Odisha Traditional Sweet (Dhenkanal Magji Ladoo) has been awarded the Geographical Indication Tag(GI Tag) by Registrar of Geographical Indication , Govt of India on 2nd January 2024 falling in the class 29 under Milk product category . The GI Tagging for Dhenkanal Magji has been registered in the name of Dhenkanal Sweet Association , facilitated by Odisha University of Agriculture & Technology.
- The GI Tag number of Dhenkanal Magji is 724.
Source:-https://search.ipindia.gov.in/GIRPublic/Application/Details/724
Content Reference:-
- The above content has been compiled after referring Odisha govt officials websites & Intellectual Properties website of GOI , Odisha University of Agriculture & Technology, various culinary books, Research Papers, Research articles, Food magazines, news papers, top culinary websites, personal interaction with renowned chefs from various hotel brands like The Ashok Group of hotel, ITC, Oberai, Leela, Park Hotels & various IHM Faculties, Nutritionists etc. & many more. The picture which i have used has been taken from the open source website .Some of the important website referred for the above content are:-
- https://search.ipindia.gov.in/GIRPublic/Application/Details/724
- https://ouat.ac.in/
- https://www.dhenkanalkvk.org/
- https://www.orissapost.com/magji-laddu-all-set-to-get-gi-tag/
- https://agriexchange.apeda.gov.in/news/NewsSearch.aspx?newsid=46885
- https://odishaheritage.com/food/dhenkanals-famous-magaji-ladu-and-its-history/
- https://www.slurrp.com/article/odishas-magji-laddu-receives-gi-tag-know-all-about-the-indian-sweet-1720762276176
- https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2024/Jan/04/coveted-gi-tag-for-seven-more-products-from-odisha-2647755.html
- https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8g70l3
- https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/from-red-ant-chutney-to-black-rice-7-odisha-products-have-bagged-gi-tags/
- https://odishatv.in/webstories/odisha/six-unique-delicious-foods-of-odisha-that-grabbed-the-coveted-gi-tag-233467
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTEVNifS2Dk
- https://www.indiatvnews.com/lifestyle/food/odisha-s-magji-laddu-gets-gi-tag-know-how-to-make-the-delicious-indian-sweet-2024-07-15-941860
- https://apeda.gov.in/apedawebsite/about_apeda/Odisha.htm
- https://ouat.ac.in/
- https://acqias.com/daily-news-analysis-current-affairs/GI-Tagged-Products-from-Odisha
