Today a very big and grand event is going to be organized in the historical Gandhi Maidan of Patna. from Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Will take oath as Chief Minister for the tenth time today. This is a record in itself. The entire Gandhi Maidan will witness this happy occasion. Preparations are going on in full swing since morning so that the program can be conducted in a grand manner. In this function, famous Bollywood and Bhojpuri singer-MP Manoj Tiwari and young singer Maithili Thakur, who recently became MLA from Alinagar, will mesmerize everyone with their melodious voices.

Manoj Tiwari will sing Bhojpuri songs, while Maithili Thakur will sing melodious songs in Maithili language. Apart from this, we will also get a glimpse of the folk arts of Bihar, like Jat-Jatin dance, Jhijhiya, Sama-Chakeva etc. The entire cultural program of the artists will start at 9 am and will last for about two hours. All the artists will reach Gandhi Maidan at 7.30 in the morning for rehearsal. The program will be announced by famous announcer Soma Chakraborty.

More than a dozen delicious dishes

Delicious vegetarian food from Bihar for the guests. The entire meal has been kept vegetarian for all the visiting guests. The famous Hotel Maurya has been given the entire responsibility of food and drinks. Breakfast will include Chole-Bhatura, Idli-Sambhar, various types of Kachoris, tea and coffee. Special dishes of Bihar like Litti-Chokha, Makhana Kheer, Maize Roti and Sarson Ka Saag will be served. More than a dozen types of delicious sweets are also being made. Guests will also be able to taste famous vegetarian dishes from some other states. Not only is there a provision for sit-down meal at Hotel Maurya, food packets will also be distributed at Gandhi Maidan.

What is Litti-Chokha history?

But no one will remain untouched by the famous and traditional food of Bihar during the oath taking ceremony today because no matter how many delicious dishes are included, Litti-Chokha will always be served especially to the guests. But do people know the history of Litti-Chokha, where it started and how Litti-Chokha became one of the favorite dishes in the whole world. Which is not only tasted in Bihar and Jharkhand but it is also eaten with great fondness in Purvanchal of Uttar Pradesh. This is not an ordinary food, but a symbol of Bihar’s culture, hard work and simplicity.

How did it start?

The origin of Litti-Chokha is considered to be about 200-250 years old, although it is difficult to tell its exact time because it is a dish born in village kitchens and not in books. It was originally the food of rural Bihar. When people used to work in the fields all day long, they used to prepare something early in the morning which would fill the stomach, would not spoil for long and could be eaten without reheating, Litti was exactly like that. Chokha (roasted masala of brinjal, potatoes, tomatoes) was made with it because these vegetables used to grow outside every house in Bihar-Jharkhand.

How did it get its name?

Litti: Earlier it was also called ‘Dahi Chuda Litti’. A round ball of Sathi flour was filled with Sattu from inside and roasted on cow dung cakes, hence it was called ‘Litti’. ‘Litta’ means sticking or clinging because litti used to stick to the cow dung cakes in the fire.

sharp: The word ‘Chokha’ means ‘chewed’ or ‘mashed’ food in Magahi-Bhojpuri. Brinjal-tomatoes are roasted in fire and then mashed, hence called Chokha.

Oldest stories and beliefs

The first to come was the era of the Maurya Empire, the era of Chandragupta Maurya. The capital Pataliputra i.e. today’s Patna. His empire extended till Afghanistan. Historians say that when Chandragupta’s soldiers went on a months-long battle, they had two things in their bags – sattu filled litti and brinjal chokha. Why? Because it was light, could be easily kept in the bag and did not spoil for 4-5 days. If one Litti was not consumed to get strength for the whole day, the soldiers of Magadha made Litti-Chokha the first ‘Army Ration’.

Favorite food of travelers in the 18th century

It is written in old books that the main food of the travelers or saints who used to travel on foot in Bihar-UP was Litti-Chokha. Somewhere on the way, we burnt cow dung cakes, baked litti, plucked brinjal and tomato from the nearby farm and fried them, the food was ready. Mughals came, tastes changed. People became non-vegetarian during the Mughal period. So now they started eating Litti by dipping it in the broth. Litti was eaten with paya (mutton broth). Rich people used to say, ‘Dip the Litti in Paya, then tell the taste.’

Revolt of 1857 and Rani of Jhansi

During the days of revolution, Rani Lakshmibai and Tatya Tope’s soldiers liked Litti (or Baati as it was called at that time) the most. The reason was very simple to make in 10 minutes with only ingredients like sattu, flour, brinjal and salt. Cook it once, continue for three-four days. The queen’s soldiers used to hide in the forest, it was dangerous to light a stove there, so they used to cook litti by pressing it in the fire.