Dhanu Muan: This Crunchy Sweetmeat Is An Integral Part Of Odia Month Pausa

Bhubaneswar: With people across Odisha celebrating Dhanu Sankranti, sweetmeat shops in most towns of the state are busy preparing and selling ‘Dhanu Muan’.

This dry delicious sweet dish is an integral part of the rituals observed during the Odia month of Pausa.

Hundreds of sweetmeat makers are engaged by shops for preparing ‘muan’ which is not just sold in various parts of the State but also exported.

It is made out of puffed rice (called khai/ lia in Odia), ghee, cashew nuts, coconut slices, cardamom (elaichi), cinnamon (dalchini) and sugar.

It resembles Nutri-grain bars in its texture. Sometimes dried fruits and nuts are thrown into the mix.

The rustic, granola-bar-like sweet treat is a mandatory offering to the Gods on the auspicious occasion of Dhanu Sankranti that marks the transition of the sun into Sagittarius.

Ganjam is home to the delicacy and produces around one tonne of ‘muan’ during winters.

Though sold around the year, the sweet snack gains importance a few days ahead of Dhanu Sankranti.