Sitabhog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sitabhog |
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| Geographical indication | |
Sitabhog from Saktigarh
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| Description | Bardhamaner Sitabhog is a type of sweet of West Bengal, India |
| Type | Sweets of the Indian subcontinent |
| Area | Bardhaman, West Bengal, India |
| Country | India |
| Registered | 29 April 2017 |
Sitabhog (Bengali: সীতাভোগ) is a very popular sweet from Bardhaman, a city in West Bengal, India. This delicious dessert looks a bit like white rice or thin noodles. It is often mixed with tiny pieces of another sweet called Gulab jamun. Sitabhog is made from cottage cheese (called chhana in Bengali), rice flour, and sugar. It often reminds people of a sweet version of pulao, which is a rice dish.
The Story of Sitabhog
The invention of Sitabhog is a fascinating story. A person named Nagendranath Nag shared that his grandfather, Khettranath Nag, first created Sitabhog and another sweet called Mihidana. This happened in Bardhaman when Maharaja Mahatabchand Bahadur was in charge.
These sweets became famous across India much later. About 72 years after they were invented, a very important person visited Bardhaman. This was Lord Curzon, who was a high-ranking British official in India. He loved these sweets and praised them highly.
Lord Curzon's Visit
Lord Curzon visited Bardhaman on August 19, 1904. He was invited by Maharaja Vijaychand Mahatab. To make Lord Curzon's welcome lunch special, the Maharaja asked a local sweet-maker, Vairabchandra Nag, to create something new. He wanted something that would truly surprise Lord Curzon.
Vairabchandra Nag took on this challenge. He introduced the two new sweets: Sitabhog and Mihidana. Lord Curzon was very surprised and impressed by these unique desserts. He even gave Vairabchandra Nag a special certificate. In it, he wrote that he had never tasted such wonderful sweets before. After this event, the fame of Sitabhog and Mihidana spread far and wide. They became known across India and even in other countries. Nagendranath Nag, who was Vairabchandra Nag's son, shared this story on the radio on November 15, 1976.
How Popular is Sitabhog?
Sitabhog is so popular that it's even mentioned in songs! A famous Bengali actor and comedian named Nabadwip Haldar sang a line about it. He mentioned Sitabhog alongside other well-known sweets:
Bagbazar rasgolla, Bhim Nagar Sandesh
Bardhamaner Siddhog, Mithidana Dorbesh
This shows how much people in West Bengal love and appreciate Sitabhog.
Special Recognition
Sitabhog from Bardhaman has received a special recognition called a Geographical Indication (GI). This means that Sitabhog is strongly linked to its place of origin, Bardhaman in West Bengal. It helps protect the quality and reputation of products that come from a specific region. Sitabhog received this GI tag on April 29, 2017.
