homesick for Gobindo Bhog

natasha chanda acharya · Apr 2nd, 2007, 16:13

I am dying for some Gobindo Bhog rice. In fact, not some, but something like 10 kgs every month would do quite nicely. It's been 5 years since I had to give up gobindo bhog, and i am telling you I am about ready to committ murder. Mommy!!!!!

batistuta · Apr 2nd, 2007, 16:16

If you dont mind, What exactly is this Gobindo Bhog Rice? I have been living in Bangalore for the best part of my life and have never come across this food/delicacy or Rice.

anindya911 · Apr 2nd, 2007, 17:18

Gobindo Bhog Rice is one of fragnant varities of rice and I'm sure Natasha will enlighten us all on that.

Though I can't really remember the last time I had Gobindo bhog, but I want it desperately, now...now...NOW

soumya_mukherjee · Apr 2nd, 2007, 21:04

We, my wife and me, are also fans of Gobindo Bhog. And we found it in Pune, with the name "Amba Meher".

I believe it's available throughout Maharashtra with the same name. And it should also be available in other parts of India with different names.

I'm not sure about Natasha's location. But Anindya could give it a try in Mumbai.

AvidTrekker · Apr 3rd, 2007, 00:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by soumya_mukherjee

We, my wife and me, are also fans of Gobindo Bhog. And we found it in Pune, with the name "Amba Meher".

The local name is aambe mohur
आम्बे मोहर

Quote:

I believe it's available throughout Maharashtra with the same name.

Sure... a lot of cheating goes with this name. They show you the correct sample, but the actual bag from which they pack the goods has a "mixed" sample.

Quote:

I'm not sure about Natasha's location. But Anindya could give it a try in Mumbai.

Yes, try it out... it should be available.

anindya911 · Apr 3rd, 2007, 12:23

Thanks a ton, Soumya & Avid

somnath · Apr 3rd, 2007, 14:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by natasha chanda acharya

.....and i am telling you I am about ready to committ murder. Mommy!!!!!

Anything is possible.

Natasha, come to Kolkata every month and get your quota of 10 KG. - simple

jyotirmoy · Apr 3rd, 2007, 16:50

This variety of rice is available in Chittaranjan Park in Delhi. This part of the city is dominated by Bengalis. Ordinary small grain rice is often palmed off as Govind Bhog so check well. Take a small quantity of rice in your palm and bloww on it for some time... then close the fist and let the rice grains be in contact with the warm humid air for some time. Open your fist and smell the rice. A good aromatic rice will smell

soumya_mukherjee · Apr 3rd, 2007, 17:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyotirmoy

Open your fist and smell the rice. A good aromatic rice will smell

That's a very useful tip for all to find and check authenticity of Gobindo Bhog!

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyotirmoy

This variety of rice is available in Chittaranjan Park in Delhi.

What is this rice called as in North India, Jyotida? "Govind Bhog"?

Another question crops us in my mind. As you said it's available in a Bengali dominated area, is this rice popular to Bengali people only? My experience in Pune is that, among small grained steamed rices, both Kollam and Aambe Mohur (corrected the spelling, thanks to AvidTrekker) are popular in Maharashtra. Though someone like AvidTrekker would be the person to say final word on that.

natasha chanda acharya · Apr 4th, 2007, 13:00

Can't say about moher so and so... but you certainly dont get it in Bangalore. Yes, Batistuta, you don't get it in Bangalore, which is precicely why I am homesick for Calcutta. The closest thing you get here is Jeera Rice which is nice but it's just not the same. Well, you do get it in this Bengali resturant called 6 Ballygunge Place which incidentally was the culprit for my fatal deja vu. And, Soumya, yes, it is a Bong specific rice, because it is grown in that area, I think, and needless to say immensly popular with bongs. I haven't met too many people except myself who used GB as the staple rice for everyday. Most people use it either for children or for making payesh. And if you look at the rice export pages on the net, you will find that it is called "Gobindo Bhog of Bengal". I think it costs around 30 Rs a KG??

Official Natasha definition for Gobindo Bhog:
It is THE rice that when you eat it takes you close to divinity. You attain enlightenment and feel in complete harmony with nature and humanity. The path from Valmiki's "Mara" to "Rama" was attained by having a plate of the said rice in question. All Bengali mothers are known to feed GB to their child, obviously because it is the best and nothing less than the best will do for their children. The famous "payesh" (not quite the same as kheer/payasam)of Bengal is made from this rice, and it is used, as the name will tell you, as an offering to the Gods in general, and Govind / Krishna in particular, because, obviously (have you got it yet???) nothing but the best will do for the Gods!

Somnath, this is no joking matter. Before you know, I will have blackmailed you to courier me 10 kgs of rice every month from Calcutta for me. Much easier than me going there every month, don't you think? What will I blackmail with? Well, I just have to tell your mom that I have found a suitable bride for you. And I know you will do anything to prevent me from doing that.

soumya_mukherjee · Apr 4th, 2007, 16:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by natasha chanda acharya

nothing but the best will do for the Gods!

That also explains the Marathi name: Aamba = Devi Durga. Mohur = Coin.

I still have a small doubt that it's produced in Bengal only. If it's imported in Maharashtra and popular to mainly Bengali people, why a local name? If the North Indian name is Govind Bhog, it may be accepted that the rice is supplied from Bengal and mostly popular to Bengalis only.

Another note: In Pune it costs around Rs 25/kg.

AvidTrekker · Apr 4th, 2007, 16:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by soumya_mukherjee

That also explains the Marathi name: Aamba = Devi Durga. Mohur = Coin.

In maraaThii language aambe = ripe mango
.................... whereas kairi = raw mango
....................... and mohur = the profuse inflorescence of the mango

Now I am only guessing.... the profuse bunch of flowers [inflorescence] is called mohur in maraaThii and gujaraatii. This rice must be smelling of mango inflorescence hence my guess is its called "aambe mohur". I had seen it on open display at Magnet supermarket [Matunga West] priced at Rs 35/-. I did not smell it, so can't certify it. Now that Jyotida has given the closed fist test above, I will test it the next time...

Quote:

I still have a small doubt that it's produced in Bengal only. If it's imported in Maharashtra and popular to mainly Bengali people, why a local name?

Its a highly prized local produce in Maharashtra, the Junnar variety being exceptional. Maximum cheating goes on in its name. Even "poor innocent villagers" frequently take us "smart city slickers" for a ride by palming off something else as aambe mohur.

Quote:

Another note: In Pune it costs around Rs 25/kg.

BTW, I had not the slightest inkling that Gobindo Bhog = aambe mohur. For this I have soumya to thank.

Next time I might order it from Kolkata instead of getting cheated in Maharashtra....

soumya_mukherjee · Apr 4th, 2007, 17:19

Uh ho! Google can mislead! I googled for "Aambe Mohur" and with some variations of spelling, got the hints about the name. As AvidTrekker explains, that's quite wrong!

So I found another unusual similarity between Marathi culture and Bengali culture: this particular variety of rice. Since landed in Nagpur 3 years back (and got shifted to Pune after surviving few months in 50degree heat wave), I wondered about Bengali sounding names (e.g., Swapnil, Amal/Amol) and pure Sanskrit words (e.g., Jal) not very common in other parts of India.

natasha chanda acharya · Apr 4th, 2007, 18:53

Boss, it does not matter how many people vouch for Gobindo Bhog being the same as Ambe Maher. I refuse to accept any such claims till I can taste it. So there! And my problem, my dear kind people, remains unsolved. How do I get Gobindo Bhog in Bangalore?? How?? I ask you! How??

the opoponax · Apr 5th, 2007, 21:01

natasha, could you go back to that restaurant and ask them where they're getting it? could they sell you a bit?

Apr 2nd, 2007, 16:13	#1
natasha chanda acharya barefeet indian Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: India Posts: 566	homesick for Gobindo Bhog I am dying for some Gobindo Bhog rice. In fact, not some, but something like 10 kgs every month would do quite nicely. It's been 5 years since I had to give up gobindo bhog, and i am telling you I am about ready to committ murder. Mommy!!!!!

Apr 2nd, 2007, 17:18	#3
anindya911 Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 368	Gobindo Bhog Rice is one of fragnant varities of rice and I'm sure Natasha will enlighten us all on that. Though I can't really remember the last time I had Gobindo bhog, but I want it desperately, now...now...NOW __________________ Let Your mind roam ... and the body will follow!

Apr 2nd, 2007, 21:04	#4
soumya_mukherjee Photography enthusiast Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 62	Amba meher? We, my wife and me, are also fans of Gobindo Bhog. And we found it in Pune, with the name "Amba Meher". I believe it's available throughout Maharashtra with the same name. And it should also be available in other parts of India with different names. I'm not sure about Natasha's location. But Anindya could give it a try in Mumbai.

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Apr 2nd, 2007, 16:16	#2
batistuta Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,729	If you dont mind, What exactly is this Gobindo Bhog Rice? I have been living in Bangalore for the best part of my life and have never come across this food/delicacy or Rice.

Apr 3rd, 2007, 12:23	#6
anindya911 Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 368	Thanks a ton, Soumya & Avid

Apr 3rd, 2007, 16:50	#8
jyotirmoy Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 4,666	This variety of rice is available in Chittaranjan Park in Delhi. This part of the city is dominated by Bengalis. Ordinary small grain rice is often palmed off as Govind Bhog so check well. Take a small quantity of rice in your palm and bloww on it for some time... then close the fist and let the rice grains be in contact with the warm humid air for some time. Open your fist and smell the rice. A good aromatic rice will smell

Apr 4th, 2007, 13:00	#10
natasha chanda acharya barefeet indian Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: India Posts: 566	Can't say about moher so and so... but you certainly dont get it in Bangalore. Yes, Batistuta, you don't get it in Bangalore, which is precicely why I am homesick for Calcutta. The closest thing you get here is Jeera Rice which is nice but it's just not the same. Well, you do get it in this Bengali resturant called 6 Ballygunge Place which incidentally was the culprit for my fatal deja vu. And, Soumya, yes, it is a Bong specific rice, because it is grown in that area, I think, and needless to say immensly popular with bongs. I haven't met too many people except myself who used GB as the staple rice for everyday. Most people use it either for children or for making payesh. And if you look at the rice export pages on the net, you will find that it is called "Gobindo Bhog of Bengal". I think it costs around 30 Rs a KG?? Official Natasha definition for Gobindo Bhog: It is THE rice that when you eat it takes you close to divinity. You attain enlightenment and feel in complete harmony with nature and humanity. The path from Valmiki's "Mara" to "Rama" was attained by having a plate of the said rice in question. All Bengali mothers are known to feed GB to their child, obviously because it is the best and nothing less than the best will do for their children. The famous "payesh" (not quite the same as kheer/payasam)of Bengal is made from this rice, and it is used, as the name will tell you, as an offering to the Gods in general, and Govind / Krishna in particular, because, obviously (have you got it yet???) nothing but the best will do for the Gods! Somnath, this is no joking matter. Before you know, I will have blackmailed you to courier me 10 kgs of rice every month from Calcutta for me. Much easier than me going there every month, don't you think? What will I blackmail with? Well, I just have to tell your mom that I have found a suitable bride for you. And I know you will do anything to prevent me from doing that.

Apr 4th, 2007, 17:19	#13
soumya_mukherjee Photography enthusiast Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 62	Uh ho! Google can mislead! I googled for "Aambe Mohur" and with some variations of spelling, got the hints about the name. As AvidTrekker explains, that's quite wrong! So I found another unusual similarity between Marathi culture and Bengali culture: this particular variety of rice. Since landed in Nagpur 3 years back (and got shifted to Pune after surviving few months in 50degree heat wave), I wondered about Bengali sounding names (e.g., Swapnil, Amal/Amol) and pure Sanskrit words (e.g., Jal) not very common in other parts of India.

Apr 4th, 2007, 18:53	#14
natasha chanda acharya barefeet indian Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: India Posts: 566	Boss, it does not matter how many people vouch for Gobindo Bhog being the same as Ambe Maher. I refuse to accept any such claims till I can taste it. So there! And my problem, my dear kind people, remains unsolved. How do I get Gobindo Bhog in Bangalore?? How?? I ask you! How??

Apr 5th, 2007, 21:01	#15
the opoponax Maha Guru Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brooklyn, via New Orleans Posts: 1,052	natasha, could you go back to that restaurant and ask them where they're getting it? could they sell you a bit?

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