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First Post
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- First Post
Mysore Pak renamed to Mysore Shree: The controversy and history of famous sweet, explained
Amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, some confectioners in Rajasthan's Jaipur are taking their patriotism one step further — renaming the renowned Mysore Pak as Mysore Shree. But does the famous Indian dessert have any connection to the neighbouring nation? read more What's in a name, is the famous line written by William Shakespeare. And it still resonates even today amid the India-Pakistan tensions. Several sweet shops in Rajasthan's Jaipur have taken quite a patriotic stance by changing the names of their popular sweets — dropping the word 'Pak' and replacing it with 'Shree'. So, if you go to a sweet store in Jaipur, the chances are you won't get Mysore Pak, but Mysore Shree and you won't Moti Pak but Moti Shree. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The news comes just days after a group of men vandalised Karachi Bakery in Hyderabad, and raised 'anti-Pakistan' slogans in front of the shop. But does one of India's most beloved sweet dishes, Mysore Pak, have anything to do with Pakistan? Here's a look at what led to the famous sweet being named Mysore Pak. Sweet beginnings behind Mysore Pak Made out of ghee, gram flour, and sugar, Mysore Pak is a famous sweet across India and is traditionally served in weddings and other festivals of southern India. It is named Mysore Pak as it originated from Karnataka's Mysore (now Mysuru) in the early 20th century. The term 'pak' comes from the Kannada word 'paaka', which refers to the process of cooking food by heating, baking or frying. Legend has it that the sweet was first cooked up in Mysuru under the rule of Krishna Raja Wodeyar IV of the Wodeyar dynasty. It was 1935 and in the Amba Vilas Palace, where he lived, there was the usual hustle and bustle before lunch for the royal family. However, King Wodeyar's chef, Kaksura Madappa, was struggling to come up with an idea of a dessert for the monarch, who was also known to be a foodie. Madappa then cooked up a combination of gram flour, ghee, and sugar and served it to Krishna Raja Wodeyar. The king liked Madappa's preparation so much, he summoned him and demanded a name for it. When asked for its name, he called it 'Mysore Pak' — with 'pak' referring to a sugar syrup-based preparation in Kannada cuisine.' Legend has it that Mysore Pak was first cooked up in Mysuru under the rule of Krishna Raja Wodeyar IV of the Wodeyar dynasty. Image Courtesy: Pixabay There's also an alternate legend. One of the owners of Guru Sweet Mart in Mysuru, which is run by the descendants of Kaksura Madappa, has a slightly different take on the origin of Mysore Pak. According to him, Madappa was asked by the king to produce a 'different' sweet, one that would go by the name of Mysore. He adds that the cook used to be called 'nalapaka' - he who makes the paka, or sugar syrup. So he cooked up this dish and called it Mysore Pak. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But since its invention, it's become a huge hit and loved by many. As head chef and restaurant consultant Tarveen Kaur told the Indian Express, 'Over time, Mysore Pak transitioned from a palace-exclusive treat to a beloved household dessert. Local sweet shops began replicating the recipe, making it more accessible to the public.' From Mysore Pak to Mysore Shree Now, amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan as Operation Sindoor was launched, some stores in Jaipur took a call to rename the famous sweet from Mysore Pak to Mysore Shree. Anjali Jain, the owner of Tyohaar Sweets, in Jaipur is one of the many who have switched the name from Pak to Shree. Jain was quoted as telling the Economic Times, 'The spirit of patriotism shouldn't just stay at the border, it should be in every Indian home and heart.' Bombay Misthan Bhandar, one of Jaipur's oldest sweet shops, also renamed the sweet. 'We want to send a clear message: if anyone dares to go against India, we will respond in every way. This is our sweet, symbolic answer,' Vineet Trikha, general manager at Bombay Misthan Bhandar, also told the Economic Times. And it seems that this name change has been welcomed by customers. One such customer said, 'It may seem like a small thing, but changing the names of sweets is a strong cultural message. It shows we stand with our soldiers.' A display of the Indian sweet along with its new name, Mysore Shree, in a Jaipur sweet shop. Image Courtesy: X Name change leaves a bitter aftertaste However, the Jaipur sweet store owners' decision to change the name of Mysore Pak to Mysore Shree hasn't been digested well by the descendants of Kaksura Madappa, the man behind the sweet. S Nataraj, a descendant of royal cook Kakasura Madappa, who still makes and sells Mysore Pak in Mysuru, told News18, 'Call it Mysore Pak — there can be no other name for this invention passed down by our ancestors. Just like every monument or tradition has its rightful name, Mysore Pak does too. It should not be altered or misrepresented.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He further added, 'Wherever you go in the world, when someone sees the sweet, they should be able to identify and call it Mysore Pak. Nobody has the right to change its name.' Even Sumegh S, who is part of the family echoed similar sentiments. He told the media house, 'Mysore Pak is much more than a sweet. It holds deep cultural and historical significance for Mysuru and Karnataka. 'Mysore Pak is the pride of Mysuru, Karnataka, and the Kannadiga community. It reflects the sweetness of our people and the richness of Kannada culture. We only stand by the sweet our forefather created - Mysore Pak - which is now globally known. Do not drag it into unnecessary controversies.' And many others have also expressed their distaste for the name change. Taking to social media, one user wrote, 'The reason for this change among shopkeepers is 99 per cent WhatsApp forwards. And, ladies and gentlemen, introducing Reason 34, why you shouldn't graduate from WhatsApp University,' commented another. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Paka' in Kannada means sweet syrup —not Pakistan! But Jaipur sweetshops, in their infinite wisdom have renamed Mysore Pak to Mysore Shree. Because clearly, dessert names now threaten national security. High on patriotism, low on brains? Peak clownery #MysorePak — Gautham Machaiah (@GauthamMachaiah) May 24, 2025 Another said, 'Crowd pulling, Pak & Paak has a lot of difference.' And a third wrote on X, 'This reflects the limited understanding of religion and culture prevalent in the country today. Consequently, terms like 'Paaka Kala' may be misconstrued as the art of Pakistan, and 'Paaka Shastra' as the scriptures of Pakistan. High level of stupidity going on in this country.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies
India.com
20-05-2025
- India.com
The Secret Railway Tunnels Near Mysore That Few Know About
Mysore remains well-known for its royally grand palaces while celebrating lively religious events and presenting calm rural areas. Mysore's enchanting city contains an unpublicized secret consisting of hidden railway tunnels which fascinate both historians and adventurous travelers and the community members. The unknown passages are deeply enveloped in mystique because they date back to the colonial age. Despite their lack of documentation these architectural elements are now recognized as hidden heritage within Mysore. The Historical Context Secret railway tunnels developed near Mysore during British colonial rule because India's new rail system combined economic gain with administrative powers. Railway construction extended throughout the country during this time for the movement of soldiers together with materials and supplies. As the Wodeyar dynasty governed Mysore during that era it did not escape development. Because of its strategic position the area became the main target for developing infrastructure. The late 19th century builders allegedly created these tunnels because they aimed to establish an underground transportation network to link essential Mysore locations. The Mysore Palace as well as military bases and significant locations would be included in this developmental project. The underground paths provided two key benefits as they let troops relocate fast in emergency situations yet also protected vital communication links among essential locations. Military necessity during wartime stands as a possible reason behind the existence of these underground passageways. Operations at surface-level transport networks became a wartime priority due to the fears of air raids occurring during World War II. The network of underground tunnels would serve as a protected option for supply and personnel movement which avoided drawing enemy surveillance. Location and Accessibility Accounts suggest that these tunnels exist in particular sections of Mysore although specific locations remain hidden. The entrance points to these subterranean tunnels are said to be hidden in proximity to major landmarks which include Chamundi Hill and Lalitha Mahal Palace as well as Mysore Junction railway station. The temple at Chamundi Hill which worships Goddess Chamundeshwari is surrounded by several legends about hidden passageways. Several records highlight how these underground passageways possibly link the hill area to the royal chambers but no reliable evidence supports these findings. The grand Lalitha Mahal Palace which British Viceroys occupied is supposed to contain secret entrances that lead into the extensive underground networks. Architectural Features and Engineering Marvels The engineering skills which produced these underground structures serve as one of their most interesting aspects. During the colonial period these subterranean pathways utilized progressive construction methods which were built approximately one century ago. The builders utilized stone masonry together with brick arches and reinforced concrete for resistance against destructive forces of nature and human tampering. According to several reports the tunnels contain positioning ventilation shafts to maintain fresh air flow throughout their length. The passageways were probably lit with oil lamps and gas fixtures while operating in previous times. Builder foresight comes to light through the inclusion of water drainage systems which protect the site from monsoon flooding. These tunnels were designed with functionality as their main purpose and secrecy as an additional requirement. Small carts and personal movement represent the primary allowed modes of access through narrow hallways and reduced ceilings which define most of the passageways. The design purposefully restricts the capacity to prevent their use in mass transport systems because discreet operations were their intended purpose. Modern Relevance and Preservation Efforts People today consider the secret railway tunnel system near Mysore to be primarily a myth since few are aware of their actual existence. The knowledge about their origins remains hidden because official documentation about their design objectives is missing. Time has brought urban growth and land development that successively diminished the view of any remaining physical structures. The restoration of Mysore's hidden past now receives focused attention from investigators who aim to document these important historical artifacts. Protective expert groups and researchers request extensive systematic tests and archaeological digs to authenticate historic claims while establishing their historical value. These investigative efforts would both enhance Mysore's colonial history knowledge base and increase tourist attraction value through new historical points of interest. Groups that protect heritage structures should work with government departments to maintain these tunnels if any actual tunnels exist. The preservation of these facilities requires limits on research access combined with section restoration and guided tours for public education to ensure their survival until the next generation. Conclusion These railroad tunnel structures near Mysore maintain a permanent silence to display their hidden secrets and their engineering brilliance. The resourceful nature of builders shines through the existence of these tunnels because they fulfilled different strategic purposes from military capability to disguised communications and emergency escape functions. These tunnels continue to fascinate people although many aspects about them remain speculative.
