World Idli Day is celebrated every year on 30 March. This day was first celebrated in the year 2015 by Chennai-based Idli caterer Anniavan. This day was celebrated for the first time in a very unique way. In fact, Anniavan had made about 1,328 idlis and on 30 March 2015, 44 kg idli cat was cut by an officer. Since then, World Idli Day is celebrated on this day every year.
Idli is a South Indian dish, but everyone likes to eat it with great fervor. Idli is also considered very beneficial for health and today is the day dedicated to idli.
According to food historians, idli first originated in Indonesia, which is known for its long tradition of fermented food. Later, it came to India in the form of steamed idli during the period of 800-1200 CE. Some theories believe that the word was derived from ‘Iddalige’, and was mentioned in a Kannada work of 920 AD, and it indicates that it was made from an urad dal batter. Also, the Sanskrit Manasollasa of 1130 AD has ‘Iddarika’, that mentioned it a dish made with urad dal. And Tamil people first mentioned it as ‘Itali’ in the 17th century. All these references make it clear that since the very beginning idli had the use of rice grits, urad dal, long fermentation process and the steaming of the batter to tasty fluffiness.
