Gobindobhog

Summary

Gobindobhog (Bengali: গোবিন্দভোগ) is a rice cultivated mostly in West Bengal in India. It is a short grain, white, aromatic, sticky rice having a sweet buttery flavor. It derives its name from its usage as the principal ingredient in the preparation of the offerings to Govindaji, the family deity of the Setts of Kolkata.[1]

Gobindobhog Rice
Geographical indication
Gobindobhog rice on banana leaf
Alternative namesগোবিন্দভোগ চাল
DescriptionGobindobhog is an aromatic rice cultivated in West Bengal
TypeAromatic rice
AreaBardhaman, Hooghly, Nadia and Birbhum
CountryIndia
Registered24 october, 2017
Official websiteipindiaservices.gov.in

Gobindobhog was traditionally cultivated in the districts of Bardhaman, Hooghly, Nadia and Birbhum. Later, it began to be cultivated in Bankura and Purulia.[2]

It is also grown in other states. For instance:

  • In Bihar it is cultivated in Kaimur, naugachia and other rice bowl areas.
  • In Northern Districts of Chhattisgarh it is cultivated in Sarguja Division and is called Vishnu Bhog or Govind Bhog. It is known to have been the favorite rice of Hon' President of India Dr. Rajendra Prasad, where King of Sarguja regularly sent it to the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Delhi from Ambikapur[citation needed][dubious ].

Geographical indication edit

In August 2017, the Gobinobhog rice was allotted the geographical indication tag of West Bengal by the Government of India.[3]

It has many traditional Bengali recipes intended for it specifically.

References edit

  1. ^ Patri, Purnendu (June 2010). পুরনো কলকাতার কথাচিত্র (in Bengali) (5th ed.). Kolkata: Dey's Publishing. p. 347. ISBN 978-8170797517.
  2. ^ "অলিম্পিক মাতাবে তুলাইপাঞ্জি, গোবিন্দভোগ". Anandabazar Patrika (in Bengali). Kolkata. 24 July 2012. Archived from the original on 21 July 2013. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  3. ^ Ghosal, Sutanuka. "Gobindobhog rice gets geographical indication status". The Economic Times.