Khaja

Districts / Region

Malvan Taluka, Sindhudurg District, Maharashtra, India.

Ingredients and Short Recipes

In rural Maharashtra, there are annual temple fairs celebrated by villagers in which numerous temporary stalls are installed. Many of them sell food items. Most of the visitors visiting the fair carry some sweet home. Khaja is one of the most popular sweets in the Malvan region. 
Khaja is made of Gram flour. Adding oil and water to the gram flour small sticks are made of that. Jaggery, sesame seeds and a pinch of ginger add flavour to the preparation. This sweet mixed with ginger gives a unique taste to Khaja.
Khaja is a popular pastime snack among people.

History

Being a traditional preparation the documented history of this is not known. The belief is, Khaja is as old as temple fairs, and have been assimilated in the religious-cultural traditions in Malvan.

Cultural Significance

Goddess Bharadi Devi at Anganwadi is being offered this sweet during the celebration of the annual fair and consumed as Prasada by all devotees. Thus Khaja plays a significant role in the religious spheres of Malvan.