CHHELI LENDI KANDA | A Traditional Tuber Dish | Rural Recipes of Koraput, Odisha

Описание: As part of the Axis Bank Foundation's initiative to document and promote Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) in Jharkhand and Odisha, this episode focuses on the rich culinary traditions of tribal communities in the Koraput district of Odisha. Such documentation plays a vital role in preserving indigenous food knowledge, reviving forgotten flavours, and highlighting authentic local identities, while also strengthening the connection between culture, sustainability, and tourism.

Recipe – Chheli Lendi Kanda (A forest tuber preparation)
Location –Laxmipur, Koraput district, Odisha
Cook – Kumar Jani and family
Presenter – Jamil Akhtar

Nestled in the hilly forests of Koraput, tribal communities have long relied on the rich biodiversity around them for sustenance. Among these forest foods, wild edible tubers play a vital role in everyday diets, providing nutrition and energy in a landscape where agricultural produce alone is often insufficient. Chheli Lendi Kanda is one such traditional dish — a preparation made from lendi kanda, a locally gathered tuber that is harvested from the forests and cooked with simple, indigenous ingredients. Prepared using time-tested tribal cooking techniques, the dish exemplifies how communities turn what the land offers into wholesome, flavourful meals. More than just food, Chheli Lendi Kanda represents an enduring connection to nature, knowledge passed down across generations, and a culinary tradition rooted in sustainability, resilience, and cultural belonging.

#ruralrecipes #rurallife #koraputtourism #ich #intangibleculturalheritage #incredibleindia