Seraikella 'Ladoos' tickles tastebuds of all

Sanjeev Shekhar/Seraikella

The name of ‘laddoo’ (round shaped balls, sweet in taste) waters the mouth, and if it’s the special laddoos of Seraikella, it’s difficult to restrain taste buds even for diabetic patients.
More than 110-year old tradition, the small time shop of sweets, prominently known for its ‘besan laddoo’, which has now been given an identity of the “Seraikella ka laddoo” has done roaring business on day to day basis, apart from its huge demand during special occasions of marriages or any sacred ceremonies.
Locals take pride over the matter that they have something special attached to the area. The shop situated right near the fort of the King of Singhdeo dynasty has become a stopping place for tourists and visitors.
“We start our work at 6 in the morning and carry out our business till 10 in the night to cater to the demands of the customers,” says Jagmohan Das, the chef. He puts the demand to at least a quintal daily and says that the demand for the sweet is not only confined to local populace.
“People from Calcutta, Purulia and Jamshedpur are our main customers, who demand laddoos of this place. We even go out on special occasions to prepare these sweets during marriages,” informs Das.
Customers thronging the shop are of the opinion that the foreign tourists, who visit the place, during special occasions or take classes in Chau, the folk dance of the area, love laddoos and even take it away to their homeland abroad.
“A woman who was here for quite sometime from United States in recent past, was the regular visitor to the place to relish the taste of laddoo,” disclosed Yogi, the customer.
People recall that the king of Seraikella provided support and patronage to the local ‘karigar’ (chefs) specialized in making laddoos and even helped them in popularizing their specialty.
Correct mixture and ingredient of ‘besan, ghee and ilaichi’ makes the laddoos tastier. “The proportion of correct mixing bears significance in terms of taste and flavour that make it unique and inimitable,” claims Nakul, the nephew of Jagmohan, who helps him in business.
In the past there were scores of cooks who learnt to prepare ‘laddoos’ and tried to venture out by opening their own shops. Some even tried their luck at Gamharia and Jamshedpur by opening small time shop, but failed to maintain consistency in their quality.
“Not only this, they could not allure the customers on the pretext of preparing the same sweets that we prepare here,” Nakul said brimming with pride.
So next time if you’re in Seraikella, don’t forget to get “Seraikella ka laddoo”.

Sanjeev Shekhar,
Media Consultant/Journalist/PR