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Written by 3:18 pm Manufacturing Trends

501 kg ‘petha’ from Agra being sent to Prayagraj to be offered as prasad

Agra is primarily famous for two things, the iconic Taj Mahal and globally renowned “petha”, a soft, translucent, sweet candy made from ash gourd or white pumpkin. This traditional sweet, deeply tied to the monumental city’s cultural heritage, will add a dash of sweetness at the 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela as devotees attending the grand religious event will be offered the dessert as prasad.

Around 501 kilograms of petha have been sent to the Maha Kumbh, where it will be distributed as “prasad” to millions of pilgrims. While typically only one or two varieties of petha are in demand, a special selection of 21 different flavours has been created for the occasion. These include favourites such as paan petha, kesar petha, and white petha, as well as innovative options like barfi petha, butter barfi petha, chocolate, orange, and strawberry flavours. In addition, petha laddoos are part of the extensive assortment being offered.

Rajesh Agrawal, a local petha businessman told PTI, “Petha from Agra was also sent for the pran pratishtha ceremony of Ram Mandir held in February 2023. Since this Maha Kumbh is historic event, petha has been sent to be distributed as prasad to the sadhus, saints, and devotees attending the event.” He explained that petha, known as kushmanda in Ayurveda, has been a part of ancient customs and is commonly used in religious rituals. “Petha has long been included in offerings during religious ceremonies and is distributed as prasad to devotees,” Agrawal added.

The ongoing Maha Kumbh, which is one of the largest spiritual gatherings in the world, commenced on January 13 and will continue until February 26 on the banks of the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj after a 12-year hiatus. The Uttar Pradesh government, which is hosting the grand fair, has projected a massive footfall of 40 to 45 crore during this period. Numerous NGOs, private individuals, and organisations are involved in the distribution of “prasad” and meals at the event, with food stalls and kiosks also offering meals for a charge.

Meanwhile, the Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj is proving to be a significant platform for artisans of Uttar Pradesh as officials estimate a turnover of about Rs 35 crore for the handicraft industry during the 45-day fair.

After taking a dip in the Sangam, people are also visiting the ‘One District, One Product’ exhibition set up across a 6,000 square metre area.

Also read | Tips to prevent digital scams during the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025

The exhibition showcases an array of exquisite handicrafts, including carpets of Kushinagar, zari-zardozi work, Firozabad’s glass toys and Varanasi’s wooden toys, among other handicraft. Joint Commissioner of Industries in Prayagraj Division, Sharad Tandon, said a remarkable growth in business is expected this time.

“In 2019, the turnover was Rs 4.30 crore, but this time we anticipate a turnover of up to Rs 35 crore. This increase will offer new opportunities for employment and empower small entrepreneurs,” Tandon said.

Besides, the online marketplace Flipkart has set up a stall in the fair area where local entrepreneurs are being offered a free sales opportunity. Artisans and handicraft sellers can now sell their products on Flipkart’s platform without any charges.

Also read | Air India to operate daily flights between delhi and Prayagraj for Maha Kumbh Mela

The exhibition highlights the rich cultural heritage of UP through various crafts and geographical indication (GI) products. Rajnikant, a GI expert, said that 75 GI products from the state are on display as part of the ODOP initiative.

(With inputs from PTI)

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