| Bardhamaner Mihidana | |
|---|---|
| Geographical indication | |
 Mihidana formSaktigarh | |
| Alternative names | বর্ধমানের মিহিদানা |
| Description | Bardhamaner Mihidana is a type of sweet ofWest Bengal |
| Type | Sweets of the Indian subcontinent |
| Area | Bardhaman,West Bengal |
| Country | India |
| Registered | 29 April 2017 |
| Material | Powdered Kaminibhog,Gobindobhog andBasmati rice,Saffron,Ghee,Sugar |
| Official website | ipindiaservices.gov.in |
Mihidana (Bengali:মিহিদানা) is anIndian sweet fromBurdwan,West Bengal, India.[1] Mihidana, described as the micro cousin of the traditionalBoondi, is derived from two words, Mihi meaning fine, and Dana, meaning grain.
According to Late Nagendranath Nag, his grand-father Late Khettranath Nag first invented specialSitabhog and Mihidana inBardhaman during the regime of Maharaja Late Mahatabchand Bahadur. Seventy two years after this invention, the name of Sitabhog and Mihidana earned its reputation all over India after the arrival ofLord Curzon in Bardhaman and his appraisal for these two sweets.[2]
On invitation of Maharaja Vijaychand Mahatab, Lord Curzon visited Bardhaman on 19 August 1904. To memorize the welcome lunch of Lord Curzon, Maharaja ordered Vairabchandra Nag, a sweet-maker of the town, to prepare something new and unique which would amaze the Lord. Vairabchandra Nag undertook the responsibility and introduced two new preparations named Sitabhog and Mihidana. Lord Curzon was surprised to have such unique sweets and praised and thanked Vairabchandra Nag in the certificate given to him saying he never had such sweet ever before. Thereafter, the quality and name of these two sweets reached all over the country and abroad. Late Nagendranath Nag, son of Late Vairabchandra Nag, broadcast this incident in Radio on 15 November 1976.[3]
The dessert is made from powderedKaminibhog,Gobindobhog andbasmati rice, mixed with a small amount of gram flour andsaffron for a golden colour. It is then blended with water by hand till its colour lightens. This mix is then poured through a brass ladle with tiny holes into a pot of ghee and deep-fried. The fine fried small rice-like grains are dipped in sugar syrup and drained once soaked.
FamousBengali actor, comedian and theater personality,Nabadwip Haldar song this line[4]-
Bagbazar rasgolla, Bhim Nagar Sandesh
Bardhamaner Siddhog, Mithidana Dorbesh
Mihidana also found inPagla Dashu stories ofSukumar Roy.
Mihidana ofBardhaman inWest Bengal get theGeographical Indications ofWest Bengal on 29 April 2017 for the innovative and unique sweet.[5]
