Habisa Dalma

Habisa Dalma is a traditional and sacred lentil dish originating from the Indian state of Odisha. It is a variation of classic Odia 'dalma,' which is a thick lentil curry cooked with vegetables.

It is specifically prepared without certain vegetables and modern spices during the holy month of Kartika. The dish is offered as prasad to Lord Jagannath as part of strict religious fasting observances by Odia Hindus.

The dish typically uses split pigeon peas (toor dal) or moong dal cooked with raw banana, taro (arbi), and coconut. Crucially, it completely avoids the use of garlic, onion, and certain pungent spices to maintain its pure, sattvic nature.

It is primarily consumed during the Kartika Purnima period, which usually falls in October or November. Devotees eat this specific lentil preparation to cleanse their bodies and honor their faith during the holiest month in the Odia calendar.