Chhattisgarh Cuisine

A state which is famous for its crusty cuisine,
for the staple diet of this place like any other place
in India is cereals, pulses, vegetables, and meat products.

A place where almost twenty-eight million people,
are accustomed to a cuisine which is both delectable and famous,
for the people here have some beautiful traditions,
Which is blow your mind, so try any one of these dishes today and comment about your experience, you might stand a chance to win an all-expense paid lunch buffet for you and your loved one.

1. Kusli

To prepare this dish we need, 1 cup of white flour, 2 tbsp ghee, half cup sooji, powdered sugar: one cup, half cup badam or almonds, half a cup of raisins, three tablespoons of dried coconut, half table spoon of elaichi powder, and finally three to four tablespoons of ghee.

First you’re supposed to make a stiff dough with flour, ghee, and water. Roll it out into small circles and keep it aside. Fry sooji in ghee and add raisins, elaichi powder, and badam to the dish. Let it cool for some time. After which you need to take a small quantity of that stuffing, approximately three teaspoons in the center of each circle. Fold it in half and edge it with a fork. Deep fry the dish at an average flame and heat it till the thing which turns pink and not red. Best served when it is hot.

2. Lavang lata

To make this dish we need two cups of white flour, one cup of sugar, four tablespoons of ghee, two cups of water and nutmeg powder, elaichi powder, cloves, grated coconut, raisins, chopped almonds or cashews, oil for frying.

Primarily, boil the sugar in a saucepan, with water you have a two-string sugar syrup. Keep the syrup warm, by keeping it on the stove. Make a hard dough along with ghee and water. Roll the dough in circles. Fold three edges inwards to make a pocket, and fill the circle with a random mix of coconut, raisins, nuts and a pinch of nutmeg and elaichi. Close the fourth flap and anchor with a clove. Deep fry in oil on low flame. Dip in siev and drain.

3. Bara

The most famous and delicious cuisine items from the state of chattisgarh is the BARA (a variant of south Indian Vada) made from the fermented Urad millet or lentils. It is basically a fritter snack usually made during festivals and Mandais (village fairs). Preparation of Bara includes little or no oil. Chopped chilies, fresh coriander and chopped onions (occasionally) are mixed with the Bara. It’s a tradition to serve  Bara in Dona (bowl prepared with dry Sal leaves) with tomato chutney. In the Bastar region, it’s obligatory to serve them guests with Bara during any marriage ceremony.

Chhattisgarh Handicrafts

Raipur, the capital city of Chattisgarh is famous as the ‘spiritual birthplace’ of the Cyclonic ‘Hindu Monk’, otherwise known as Swami Vivekananda. Widely recognized for its Dhokra work, Pithora paintings, and Kosa silk sarees. The rural artisans of Chattisgarh are toiling day and night, perfecting their craft, making it unique and authentic at every step of its preparation.

1. Pithora Paintings

Pithora has a population of all the main religions in India, namely, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, and Christian. All festivals are celebrated and enjoyed equally.  Pithora is situated on a four-lane National Highway, connected to places like Mahasamund, Raipur, Saraipali, Sarangarh, and Kasdol,  through Roadways. Bus services are available from Pithora Bus Stand for Raipur, Mahasamund, Bagbahara & Saraipali; whereas the frequency of buses drastically drops down during the night.

The essence of a Pithora painting lies in its authenticity; everything from the theme to its execution has an ethnic touch of rural India. Where them colors are prepared by mixing pigments with milk and liquor made from the auspicious Mahuda tree.

Pithora paintings are done on a set of three walls, preparing them walls for the painting, as the walls to be painted first plastered with mud and cow dung, and then coated with chalk powder, which is called lipna. Finally, the painters proceed to do their work.

2. Dhokra Work

Bell metal or Dhokra work is a famous handicraft manufactured in the state of Chhattisgarh, usually practiced in the districts of Bastar and Raigarh. Tribal artisans from this region create bell metal crafts using materials such as brass and bronze, supplanted with hollow casting and the lost wax techniques. This art is known as ‘Dhokra Work,’ primarily practiced by the tribes like ‘Ghadwas’ of Bastar and ‘Jharas’ of Raigarh districts.

First, this process involves the preparation of a clay core which is in the shape of its final cast image, covering the clay base with a layer of wax, resin from the tree Damara orientalis, and nut oil. Consequently, the wax is shaped into its intricate designs and motifs. Which is further covered with layers of clay, taking wax on the inside, creating a mold for the metal, where the molten metal is poured. Drain ducts are created for the molten wax, which melts away when the clay is cooked. The molten metal then replaces the wax. The liquid metal poured in between the core and its inner surface of the mould. Molten metal fills the mould, hence assuming its shape. The outer layer of clay is then chipped off when the metal icon is polished and finished as desired.

3. Kosa Silk Sarees

Kosa silk fabric is one of the most famous handicrafts made in the state of Chhattisgarh, produced using threads from a rare breed of silkworm known as the Kosa, for its cultivation is laborious, people prefer contrary to the cultivation of these silkworms. These rare species of silkworms are cultivated in Saja or Sal trees, present only in forests at the very heart of Indian subcontinent. The threads produced from this process are pretty rigid in their texture, but it is the coarseness of these products that sets them apart from that stereotyped soft silk sarees; henceforward providing these Kosa silk sarees their own authentic texture.

The classic Kosa saree comes in natural shades of pale gold, cream, honey, and so on. Natural dyes are utilized to create attractive designs and dye the entire Kosa saree in a polychromatic atmosphere of brilliance. These include colors like yellow, sourced from the fire flower and deep red from Lac.

Famous for its breathtaking motifs that are woven directly into the fabric, with typical patterns like the Jaala (net) and Fera which are used to create exemplary artistic patterns inspired right from mother nature, along with tribal tales and mythological stories. They are an essential item for your wardrobe for important occasions like weddings and other ceremonies.

Buy any one of these authentic Chattisgarhi items and comment below with your selfie, so you might stand a chance to win exciting discount vouchers, along with some mind blowing discount vouchers.