One of the most popular summer drinks of Odisha is bela pana prepared from the fruit of the divine bael (Aegle marmelos), a tree very dear to Bhagawan Shiva. Bela Pana is a traditional drink that is said to have been first prepared by Bhagawan Jagannath Himself for His devotees centuries ago to beat the scorching heat.
Even today, bela pana is offered as prasad to the devout who attend the famous Rath Yatra festival at Lingaraja Temple, Bhubaneswar celebrated on Ashokashtami. This drink is also prepared on Pana Sankranti or Maha Bishuba Sankranti (Odia New Year).
Bael or bela or wood apple as it is commonly known is widely used in Ayurveda, Siddha medicine and naturopathy to treat stomach ailments, sunstroke and boost immunity.
First, sweet – smelling fully ripened bael is plucked and cut open. If fully ripe, the inside will be an attractive orange colour else slightly yellowish. The pulp is carefully scooped out with a spoon.
Water is added to this pulp and mixed well and pressed through the strainer to extract all its natural goodness.
Mashed banana, freshly grated coconut, rasogola or chhena, curd, sugar or jaggery, black pepper powder, cardamom powder and water are added to this extracted pulp and mixed till the powdered jaggery dissolves in entirety.
A dash of lemon juice can also be added. This natural coolant can be consumed like this or chilled.
Written by Lakshmi Subramanian
sahasa.in 
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