Bhubaneswar, Dec. 29: Usher in the New Year with lip-smacking ethnic dishes at a new joint that opened today on the premises of the tribal museum near CRPF Square.

The aim behind opening the restaurant is to promote the lesser-known dishes of the state.

A number of dishes involving ridge gourd, snake gourd, broad bean, cluster bean, mango kernel and cowpea will be prepared here. Visitors can look forward to having ragi gruel better known as mandia jau, baunsa poda mansa (mutton cooked in bamboo shoots) and baunsa kadi sabji (bamboo shoots curry) among others.

To start with, traditional Odia snack mudhi mansa and mandia cake or ragi cake will be served. 'Many other items will be available at the restaurant in the next 15 days,' said Susanta Nanda, managing director of Tribal Development Co-operative Corporation of Odisha Limited.

Located in a green environment, the restaurant also provides for a perfect hangout spot.

Around 10 women from a Khurda-based self-help group have been involved to manage the restaurant. 'They have been trained to prepare the dishes, along with various aspects of running the eatery such as customer service, finances and handling day-to-day problems. To make their work easy, we have also prepared a booklet where the recipes of all the items will be mentioned,' said Nanda.

Dressed in Sambalpuri saris, the women would impart a homely feel to the restaurant. 'We are putting in a lot of effort to ensure that the dishes become a hit with the customers. The experience is quite new for us, and we are enjoying a lot,' said Rankuma Majhi, one of the 10 women.

The restaurant has seating arrangements for 16 customers. However, if there is a bigger turnout, adequate seating arrangements will be made on the museum's lawn. Secretary of the Union ministry of tribal welfare Hrushikesh Panda inaugurated the food court.

A souvenir shop has also been inaugurated where a number of tribal artefacts are on display. Visitors can buy handicrafts made of paddy, bamboo, siali fibre and Dokra art items apart from paintings and cups and trays with tribal motifs inscribed on them.

Party planner

Hotels and clubs are pulling out all the stops to offer exciting entertainment options for revellers. Shopping malls and complexes have also been decked up.

Those who want to let their hair down can head to the clubs and hotels that have lined up DJ nights and have invited television personalities, stand-up comedians, dancers and celebrity singers to entertain the crowd.

Many hotels are organising Tibetan dragon dance, laser shows, lucky draws, balloon acts and magic shows to attract customers. The entry fee to the hotels ranges between Rs 1,500 and Rs 4,500. For couples, the prices range from Rs 3,000 to Rs 7,000.

'My friends have bought passes for a party at a posh hotel in Jaydev Vihar. We will dance all night and indulge in mouth-watering dishes,' said Ankan Pattnaik, a 27-year-old software engineer.

However, those who want a quieter time with their closed ones and family members can visit restaurants, which have arranged for candlelight dinners and lavish buffets. 'Throughout the year I am busy working and travelling. Therefore, I want to spend the New Year with my family members. I have already booked a table for my family at a restaurant that specialises in continental food,' Anuja Patnaik, a student.

New guests in zoo

Nandankanan is set to welcome 2015 with new guests. The animal park isgoing to import two pairs of zebras and African lions from the Tel Aviv Zoo in Israel. It will also get five Manipuri dancing deer from Delhi zoo and an Indian bison (gaur) from Chandigarh zoo.At present, the zoo houses 2,400 animals of 148 species.

The toy train at the zoological park that has been lying defunct for the past two months will be repaired and the ropeway will also be made functional, said Sudarshan Panda, director of the park, at its 55th foundation day celebrations.The zoo will place 72 closed-circuit television cameras at vantage points in the park. Environment and forest minister Bikram Keshari Arukh today inaugurated an open top leopard enclosure and a walk-through aviary at Nandankanan.

Rare items on display

The museum today celebrated its 47th foundation day by displaying 40-year-old ornaments made for Lord Jagannath that were not earlier used.

Thirty rare gold coins belonging to 11th century king Gangeya Dev of Kalachuri dynasty with the ruler's face embossed on them, too, were displayed for the first time on the occasion.

The coins, which were kept at the sub-registrar office at Umerkote in Nabarangpur district, were handed over to the museum authorities.

The jewellery, made for Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra for the rath yatra in 1974 by the museum, were never used, and they had been kept away from public view. The silver ornaments include crown of the deities, waist belt, bracelet, earrings and umbrellas. The museum authorities displayed the items keeping the Nabakalebar celebrations in mind.

'There are many things in this museum which provide information about the rich tradition and culture of Odisha,' said Aditya Paul, a visitor from Bengal.

Culture minister Ashok Panda, mayor A.N. Jena and officials of the culture department were present on the occasion.

Additional reporting by Bibhuti Barik and Sandip Bal