Bhubaneswar: The postal department's recent release of a special cover in Puri highlighted the importance of rasagolla in the cuisine of Lord Jagannath.

The special cover features the traditional offering of rasagolla as prasad to Goddess Lakshmi on behalf of Lord Jagannath to appease her during niladri bije, which is the last day of rath yatra.

Rasagolla, a cheese-based sweet, finds mention in Balaram Das's Odia Ramayana. The ancient link is evident as Das lived from 1472-1550.

As the Lord visits Gundicha temple with his siblings during rath yatra, his wife feels aggrieved as she is left behind. Swatwalipi, the record of rights governing Jagannath temple rituals, mentions rasagolla. The panjika (almanac) of Tadhaukaran also mentions it as a special offering by servitor Bhitaracha Mohapatra.

A special cover also provides a range of information linking Lord Jagannath to rasagolla in three languages - Odia, Hindi and English.

After releasing the speacial cover, chief postmaster general, Odisha circle, Santosh Kumar Kamila presented it Chhatisa Nijog Nayak Janardana Patjoshi Mohapatra.

"The special cover will throw light on Odisha and its sweetmeat," said Kamila.

Kashinath Sahoo of the Eastern India Philatelic Association has designed the cover.

Recently, the state government had filed an application seeking geographical indication (GI) tag for Jagannath Rasagolla.

Additional chief secretary, MSME, L.N. Gupta said: "The application has been submitted with all necessary evidence and documentary support required of the process. After Bengal claimed the GI tag for Banglar Rosogolla last year, the state government moved to seek GI tag for the sweetmeat that has a long association with Odisha and the Jagannath Temple."