

Deoghar, pronounced as Devghar is one of the sacred destinations of Hinduism. Devghar is a Hindi word that means abode (Ghar) of gods and goddesses. The place is home to the famous Baidyanath temple. It is famous for being one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India.
Situated in Jharkhand, the lush and serenity of the temple is an absolute delight to the eyes. The temple complex has 21 temples inside it, Baba Baidyanath Dham being the principal one. The temple welcomes the maximum number of devotees during the Shravan month of the Hindu calendar. Devotees bring Gangajal in small size pitchers from Sultanganj to offer it to the Jyotirlinga for Rudrabhishek. Shravani Mela is also regarded as Asia’s biggest Mela.
The city offers a lot to its visitors, whether it be the blessings of Lord Shiva or the delicious mouth-watering foods. Here is the list of a few delicacies that you must probably try when visiting Deoghar.
1. Litti Chokha
Jharkhand was once a part of Bihar; hence Bihari cuisines dominate in Deoghar. Litti Chokha is healthy in a way as both the dishes are roasted and grilled hence no frying is involved in it. Litti is a dough made of whole wheat flour stuffed with sattu (gram flour) and a mix of herbs, onions, and chilies grilled and baked until cooked and then finally garnished with Desi Ghee to enhance the aroma and flavor. Chokha is a mix of roasted brinjals and tomatoes with chilies, onion, and coriander leaves. Popular for its idyllic taste Litti Chokha is the most popular delicacy you can find on the streets and even in fine-dine restaurants of the city.

2. Peda
Devotees horde the holy city of Deoghar basically for two reasons, first to get the blessings of Baba Baidyanath, and second to witness the delicacy of their world-famous prasad, the appetizing Peda. The conventional practice of offering Peda to Bholenath has been followed here for ages. The secret recipe to making this peda lies in the making and preparation of the main ingredient Khova. Unlike the others prepared across the country, this one is adrift in having very less sugar approximately 1/10th the measure of Khova. The milky flavor and soft texture of this sweet melt in the mouth leave the taste buds mesmerized. One can find the very popular Malai Peda, Doodh Peda, and Kesariya Peda to satisfy their drool.

3. Athey Mutton
For non-vegetarians, Deoghar becomes the place to calm their taste buds. It is a special dish prepared from goat meat cooked in ghee with no addition of water to it. Desi Ghee escalates the flavor giving an enticing color to the curry. The richness of ghee seeps into the pieces of meat making them tender and succulent can be served with white fluffy rice to enjoy the relish of this food.

4. Parantha
Most relished delight of vegetarians which can make even the biggest non-vegetarian drool. A must-try timeless delicacy that adds to the name of Deoghar is made of wheat flour and blended with pure Desi Ghee and is available in various stuffing such as sattu, potatoes, cauliflower, paneer, and a mixed one that includes all. It can be served with pickle or sabzi and tamarind or coriander chutney or a combination of all to pamper the appetite.

5. Taheri
Taheri is an assortment of vegetables, spices, and rice. The method of making Taheri or tehri looks similar to that of pulao but the Dum cooking technique and the taste make the difference. There is no specific list of vegetables that has to be added, thus it is a perfect medley of health and taste. Cooked at low flame the aroma of the dish is worth a while. While visiting Deoghar one should try this delicious and relishing dish.

6. Bel Ka Murabba
Another specialty of Deoghar also known as Belgiri is a sweet dish prepared from the pulp of yellow fruit bel. Available from September to March, this relish also has some outstanding medicinal properties. Apart from calming your taste buds, it is also known to cure various health ailments like irritable bowel syndromes (IBS), stomach ulcers, and ulcerative colitis. It serves as a great heart and brain tonic.

7. Khirmohan
Apart from Khova peda Khirmohan is the second most common dry sweet dish of Deoghar. Made from Chenna (Indian cottage cheese) stuffed with a medley of dry fruits and soaked in sugar syrup, Khirmohan is a delectable dessert that tastes like heaven. One should try this on their visit to Deoghar.

8. Gur Ke Rasgulle
Gur ke Rasgulle aka jaggery rasgulla is a compelling delight for those who like sweets. It’s a must-try recipe for those who haven’t tried it yet. The sweet is made from chenna and then dipped into jaggery syrup. The earthen flavor of the jaggery makes this sweet a lot more delicious. It’s so soft that it melts in the mouth as soon as you place it imparting a heavenly and never forgetting taste.

9. Tilkut
Pilgrims or tourists who visit Deoghar during the winter season buy a lot of Tilkut from here. As the winter strikes the aroma of the Tilkut made from pounded sesame seeds and molasse can be felt everywhere. The tilkut prepared here is very delicious to eat and the best part is that it can be stored for a very long time, as its taste remains the same.

10. Kachori
Both Bihar and Jharkhand strive on Sattu. It is the most sought food here. Apart from its healthy nature, it can be easily prepared and is very fulfilling at the same time. Sattu kachori is yet another delicacy that lingers in your soul for years. The crunchiness and the fluffiness of the kachori can lift anyone’s mood in a jiffy. Fried in mustard oil, the aroma of it in itself is enough to get your mouth watered.

11. Rugra
A variety of edible mushrooms indigenous to the state of Jharkhand looks externally oval, and rough-textured, consisting of a shell covering and a soft yolk-like dark inner material imparting a unique taste to this variety of mushroom. The month of Shravan is considered a holy month of Shiva and people refrain from consuming non-vegetarian delicacies this mushroom becomes a delightful alternative to non-vegetarian dishes as it tastes just like one. Apart from being delicious, it constitutes higher proteins, vitamins, and minerals content than any other mushroom. It also serves as a remedy for heart and diabetic patients.

12. Dhuska
Dhuska, a popular deep-fried snack of Deoghar is prepared by mixing rice and chana dal. This delicacy has essential carbs needed from the rice and proteins from dal or lentils. The batter for Dhuska is prepared by grinding soaked basmati rice and chana dal with the addition of a few herbs, chilies, and spices. It is the most easy-to-prepare recipe.

13. Rabdi
Rabdi, a sweet dish made from condensed milk is available throughout the year in the Deoghar district. The making of a traditional form of sweet is quite a laborious task as it involves boiling full-fat milk at low flame until it reduces to a thick mixture. Now, as we all know that Rabdi is a very common sweet dish but what makes it distinct from the rest is the quality of milk that is used. The sweet makers use full-fat milk without any addition of water to it. This adds to enhance the delectable taste of the sweet making it unique like nowhere else.

14. Jhalmuri
A savory snack for the pilgrims returning from the darshan of Baba Bholenath. The snack is a combination of essential carbohydrates, proteins, and also fibers immediately providing energy and refreshment after a long day. Made with puffed rice(muri), sev, chopped boiled potatoes, tomatoes, chilies, peanuts, chickpea, sprinkled with a few spices and herbs, and tamarind chutney, the snack triggers the taste buds with every bite.

15. Dahi Chura
Dahi Chura bhog is an important ritual at Baidyanath Dham. In this freshly prepared curd and flattened rice (Chura) is offered to the deities. This particular food item is considered a must during various religious ceremonies. Made from fresh and unadulterated milk, the curd is naturally sweet without any addition of sugar or jaggery. Dahi Chura is also an important food for many Hindu communities.

16. Arsa Roti
Arsa Roti is a traditional dish of Jharkhand’s tribal culture. It is made by mixing jaggery syrup with rice flour and deep-frying it into small balls in oil. It holds a remarkable significance in the culture as it is the first dish prepared by the bride’s and groom’s family during the wedding.

17. Khaja
An integral part of “Mahaprasad” of Baba Baidyanath Dham and other festivities like Chath Puja, Khaja is a word that every Bihari relates to and has a special connection with the food items. This unique dessert is made from refined flour, sugar, and mawa with or without dry fruit stuffing then frying it in oil until crisp and is then dipped in sugar syrup where it absorbs all the sweetness of the sugar, giving it a wafery structure.

18. Til Barfi
This diamond-shaped delectable delicacy is made from sesame seeds, cardamom, and pistachio along with the pureness of pure desi ghee. This exceptionally soft Barfi tastes so delicious that hardly anyone can resist it. It is the pride of Deoghar. Especially prepared during the festivity of Makar Sankranti, it is one of the most nutritious dishes in the state having the most delicious taste.

19. Malpua
Malpua is a traditional Indian sweet made from sweetened pancakes. The batter is made of wheat flour, chopped bananas, milk, and sugar often seasoned with cardamom and fennel seeds. The mixture is then deep-fried into small size pancakes. Fluffy and crispy at the edges, these pancakes are sometimes topped with nuts and served with sweetened milk, known as rabri.

20. Thekua
A traditional sweet from the Eastern states of Bihar and Jharkhand, also known as Khajur is made during popular festivals and special occasions. The sweet taste of Thekua is believed to bring togetherness and happiness to the family. This sweet, crispy, and crunchy dish is cooked using wheat flour, sugar, coconut, ghee, and fennel seeds to accentuate the taste. It’s a bit high in calories but is so delicious that you wouldn’t mind eating 1to 2 in one go.
