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Winter Pitha market bustling in Barisal


Published : 19 Nov 2021 09:42 PM

Who doesn't have a sweet memory of eating winter Pitha, steamed or fried traditional cake, made by mother's hand in the clay oven in the winter morning amid the smell of new date juice! 

Although the modern day scenario is not the same, people of Barishal town are happily indulging in eating Pitha made on oil stove on the sides of busy roads at different neighbourhoods.

The smell of winter Pitha is now prevailing in all the corners and alleys of the city. Although these cakes do not have mother's touch, there is the care of urban business in them. 

City people of Barishal are delighted to eat their favorite winter Pitha in different streets, alleys and sidewalks of the city as there are temporary Pitha shops in most parts of the city. 

Hundreds of men and women have entered the Pitha making and selling business as it takes only a little capital and hard work but brings a good profit. 

In addition to Pitha, there are various kinds of Vorta, mashed paste to eat with the Pithas in the shops. Every afternoon, there is a rush to sell Pithas in the corner shops. 

In the evening, the number of buyers increases, which continues till late night. Chitai Pitha is sold with a variety of Vorta including garlic-chili paste, coriander paste, dried fish paste and black fennel paste.

Pitha traders say buyers are flocking to the open-air Pitha shops locating in alleys from afternoon to night in the severe winter of the last few days.

Talking to Pitha sellers in different parts of Barisal, it is known that many people are very interested in this seasonal Pitha selling business. So the market for this temporary Pitha has already bustling, mainly in the morning and evening. However, the demand for Pitha is higher in the evening.

Every day, on the way back from work many crowds the temporary stores. Many also carry more cakes together for family members. Ordinary people are very interested in winter cakes. That is why cake traders are earning good income every day.

As the winter progresses, the amount of Pitha sales will rise. Representatives of various pharmaceutical companies were seen eating Pithas in front of different Pitha shops. Some of them were eating Bhapa Pitha, some were eating Chitai Pitha. They were also seen talking while giving hot cakes in their mouths.

When asked, GM Jasim Hasan said, “I can't eat winter Pitha made by my mother even if I want to. So almost every day after work I come here to eat my favorite Pitha with my colleagues.”

On the sidewalk one can see various mobile Pitha carts; Chitai Pitha is selling for 5-8 taka, Bhapa Pitha for 10-20 taka, Dimchitai for 20 taka, Teler Pitha for 5-10 taka and Patishapata Pitha for 10-15 taka.