Chhattisgarh is one of the 4 states of Central India. Raipur is its capital. Chhattisgarh literally means ‘Thirty-Six Forts’. Chhattis means 36 and garh means fort. The state has beautiful scenic beauty and water falls. Chitrakot water falls is known as the ‘Niagara Falls of India’. The state is a merger of both traditionalism and modernism. Chhattisgarh is known for its lively and diverse culture.
The people of Chhattisgarh have several festivals to celebrate throughout the year. Pola is one of them. Pola is celebrated to express their gratitude to bulls for their contribution in farming, which is the main source of livelihood. Pola falls on a new moon day in the month of Shravan, that is usually in August.
During the Pola festival, people bathe their bulls and massage them with oil. Next, they decorate them with colorful shawls, flower garlands and bells. Paint their horns with colors. Bulls are given new ropes and reins and then paraded in the village. The villagers dress in their traditional attires and go singing and dancing along with the bulls.
Chhattisgarh is land-locked by Uttar Pradesh in the north. Jharkhand in the north east, Odisha in the east.
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are in the south. Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh are in the west.
Pulse farming in Chhattisgarh
Chhattisgarh is an agricultural state. They cultivate pulses like, Urad (black gram) Bengal gram (chick peas), tur dal (pigeon pea), Moong dal (Green gram), Kulthi (Horse gram) for their own consumption.
Paddy is their principal crop. Chhattisgarh is known as the Rice bowl of Central India and produces almost 6% India’s total rice.
Food:
Rice, dal and vegetables are the staple food of Chhattisgarh. They make roti (flat bread) with rice flour. They ferment moong or urad dal flour with rice flour and make pancakes, which is very much like the dosa.
We will be cooking Aamat dal. Aamat means sour. Traditionally this dish is prepared with fresh bamboo shoots.
We will be using preserved bamboo shoots as the fresh ones are not available at the moment. There will definitely be a difference in taste.
Aamat Dal (Sour Dal)
The dish is delicious – little sour, little spicy, oil-less and full of vegetables making it a healthy and nourishing dish. You may use vegetable of your choice. We enjoyed the dish with steamed rice. Please try it out once. You will love it.
You need:
125 gm Bengal gram (chick peas)
2 tbsp of preserved bamboo shoots
5-6 French beans
2-3 small variety of brinjal
200 gm Gourd
1 tbsp of tamarind pulp
3-4 medium size garlic cloves,
Ginger 1inch piece
1 green chili
¼ tsp turmeric powder (optional)
1 tbsp rice
Few sprigs of coriander leaves.
Method:
- Wash and soak the Bengal gram (black chickpeas) overnight.
2. Wash the chick peas again.
3. Heat water in a pan and bring it to boil.
4. Add the bamboo shoots.
5. Add the chick peas and ½ tsp of salt and stir well.
6. Cook over medium heat, till the chick peas are half cooked. It will take about 40-45 minutes.
(If you pressure cook the chickpeas it will take about 8-10 minutes)
7. In the meantime, wash the vegetables – the bean, brinjal and the gourd and cut them as in the picture.
8. Chop the green chilies, peel and chop the ginger and the garlic.
9. Grind the chilies, ginger and the garlic in the grinder and keep it aside.
10. Soak the rice for 2 hours prior to grinding. Grind the rice finely with little water and keep it aside.
11. When the Bengal gram is half cooked, add ¼ tsp of turmeric powder, the chopped vegetables and the ginger-garlic-chili paste and mix well.
12. Cook over low heat until the vegetables get cooked.
13. Wash and chop the coriander leaves finely and keep it aside.
14. When vegetables are cooked, add the rice water and stir it.
15. Add the tamarind pulp and mix it well.
16. Adjust the salt and keep cooking over low heat for one or two minutes more.
17. Add water if needed to bring the dal to your required consistency.
18. Switch off the heat and sprinkle the chopped coriander leaves. Aamat is ready to be served with steamed rice.
Happy Cooking !
Coming up next ………. Dal from Madhya Pradesh
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Dal On The Table 
Delicious! 😋
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Did not know a lot of things about Chattisgarh….like Pola…your blog is very informative….the Aamat dal looks yumm…your style of writing motivates me to try out the dish…thank you.
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Thank you Leeta. Please keep reading ….
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The texture and colour is amazing..😋
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Thank you Protima. Keep commenting …
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