Birbhum, West Bengal

Pithe Puli (Rice-Flour and Jaggery Winter Sweet)

Pithe puli is a traditional winter sweet made with rice flour and jaggery, shaped into small discs that give a unique taste and texture. It is the must-try sweet when visiting Bolpur-Santiniketan, typically prepared in winter and served around festivals such as Makar Sankranti. The discs are available at local food stalls around Santiniketan for a few dozen rupees. A buyer gets a soft, melt-in-the-mouth sweet with a subtle jaggery aroma, a hallmark of the district's festive season.

Typical price: ₹10-100

Buying tip: It is a seasonal item, so buy it in winter, especially around Makar Sankranti, when local stalls in Bolpur and Santiniketan stock the fresh rice-flour and jaggery discs.