As Makar Sankranti draws near, the city of Patna is witnessing a significant rise in the sale of traditional festive sweets. Stalls and shops across popular neighborhoods are bustling with customers eager to purchase seasonal delicacies like tilkut, gajak, and sesame laddoos.
Festive Stalls and Sweet Varieties
Key areas such as Boring Road, Kankarbagh, Mithapur, and Rukanpura have seen a proliferation of both makeshift stalls and established shops. These outlets are offering a wide array of sweets primarily made from sesame (til), combined with jaggery, sugar, or khoya. The festive atmosphere is palpable as buyers stock up for the celebrations.
Price Range and Popular Choices
The price for these traditional treats varies significantly based on ingredients. Sugar-based tilkuts start at Rs 260 per kilogram. However, there is a noticeable shift in consumer preference. Jaggery (gud) and khoya-filled tilkuts are now more sought-after, as they are perceived to be healthier and offer a richer taste. Jaggery varieties are priced between Rs 300 and Rs 400 per kg, while khoya-infused tilkuts command a higher price, ranging from Rs 400 to Rs 500 per kg.
Shopkeeper Vijendra Gupta from Boring Road confirmed this trend, noting that a large number of buyers are choosing jaggery and khoya versions over the traditional sugar-based ones.
Premium and Health-Conscious Options
The demand doesn't stop at traditional recipes. Premium options are also gaining traction in the market. Sugar-free tilkuts and those loaded with dry fruits are in high demand, with prices going up to Rs 500-600 per kg. The cost depends on the quantity of dry fruits like almonds and cashews or the type of special sweeteners used.
Priyanshu Raj, a resident of Rajbanshi Nagar, explained the cultural and health significance. "Tilkut with dry fruits is richer and healthier. Makar Sankranti is the festival of 'til,' which helps keep the body warm. Exchanging these sweets is also a token of goodwill," he said.
Customers like Rajiv Rai from Rukanpura also point out textural differences, noting that jaggery-based sweets are often softer compared to the harder sugar-based sesame laddoos.
Other Festive Favorites
Beyond tilkut, the festive spread includes other popular items. Shops are also selling black and white sesame laddoos, chikki made with jaggery and roasted peanuts, til papdi, and til gajak. The price for these items ranges from Rs 260 to Rs 400 per kg, influenced by the quality of sesame and the proportion of jaggery used.
The week leading up to Makar Sankranti is clearly a peak season for sweet vendors in Patna, blending tradition with evolving consumer tastes for healthier, premium ingredients.
