Ramnagar Bhanta (Brinjal) is a variety of

brinjal Eggplant ( US, CA, AU, PH), aubergine ( UK, IE, NZ), brinjal ( IN, SG, MY, ZA, SLE), or baigan ( IN, GY) is a plant species in the nightshade family Solanaceae. ''Solanum melongena'' is grown worldwide for its edible fruit, typic ...

grown in the

Indian state India is a federal union comprising 28 states and 8 union territories, for a total of 36 subnational entities. The states and union territories are further subdivided into 800 districts and smaller administrative divisions by the respe ...

Uttar Pradesh Uttar Pradesh ( ; UP) is a States and union territories of India, state in North India, northern India. With over 241 million inhabitants, it is the List of states and union territories of India by population, most populated state in In ...

. It is a common and widely cultivated crop in areas like Ramnagar in

Varanasi district Varanasi district is a district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, with the holy city of Varanasi as the district headquarters. It is also the headquarters of the Varanasi division which contains 4 districts (including Varanasi). It is s ...

along with the entire district and other districts of

Mirzapur Mirzapur () is a city in Uttar Pradesh, India. It is known for its carpets and brassware industries, and the tradition of kajari and birha music. Straddled by the Kaimur extension of Vindhya mountains, it served as the headquarters of t ...

Chandauli Chandauli is a town and a nagar panchayat in Chandauli district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. It is the administrative headquarters of Chandauli District. Geography Chandauli is located at . It has an average elevation of . Located ab ...

and

Sonbhadra Sonbhadra (also known as Sonebhadra) or Sonanchal is the second largest district by area of Uttar Pradesh after Lakhimpur Kheri. The district headquarters is in the town of Robertsganj. Sonbhadra is also known as the "Energy Capital of India" f ...

. Under its

Geographical Indication A geographical indication (GI) is a name or sign used on products which corresponds to a specific geographical location or origin (e.g., a town or region). The use of a geographical indication, as an indication of the product's source, is inten ...

tag, it is referred to as "Ramnagar Bhanta (Brinjal)".

Name

Ramnagar Bhanta (Brinjal) is a prized vegetable crop in Ramnagar and so named after it. The word "Bhanta" means brinjal and also referred to names like Baigan and Bhanta or Bhata in the local state language of

Hindi Modern Standard Hindi (, ), commonly referred to as Hindi, is the Standard language, standardised variety of the Hindustani language written in the Devanagari script. It is an official language of India, official language of the Government ...

Description

The Ramnagar Bhanta is a unique variety of brinjal (eggplant) grown in the Varanasi region. It is highly sought after for its exclusive Chokha ( Bharta) preparation. The fruit is a pendent, fleshy berry, borne singly or in clusters, with varying shapes (ovoid, oblong, obovoid, or long cylindrical) and colors (purple, purple-black, yellowish, white, green, and variegated). One of the unique features of Ramnagar Bhanta is its ability to increase in size significantly during foggy winter weather, growing up to 2 kgs or more. Notable varieties of Ramnagar Bhanta include the Ramnagar Giant and KS-233. Both of these varieties have shown resistance to Phomopsis blight and moderate resistance to fruit rot. The Ramnagar Bhanta is a warm and winter season crop, which can grow up to 2-2.5 kg or more in a single piece. It is grown in the

Gangetic Plain The Indo-Gangetic Plain, also known as the Northern Plain or North Indian River Plain, is a fertile plain spanning across the northern and north-eastern part of the Indian subcontinent. It encompasses northern and eastern India, eastern Pakist ...

area of Varanasi and nearby districts (Mirzapur, Chandauli, and Sonebhadra). The special characteristics of soil and water in the region support its growth. Local farmers have preserved this landrace and proudly grow it with quality. They use traditional methods for seed selection, choosing yellow-colored brinjals for seed purposes. The Ramnagar Bhanta is rich in vitamins, minerals, and has high nutritive value. The Lota Bhanta Mela, a traditional fair, is held on the outskirts of Varanasi in Rameshwaram teerth, Harhua, near the

Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport is an international airport serving Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is located at Babatpur, northwest of Varanasi. Formerly known as Varanasi Airport, it was officially renamed after Lal Bahadur Shastri, the ...

. The origins of the Lota Bhanta Mela date back several centuries to its founder, Lotum Bhatt. Over time, the name evolved into "Lota-Bhanta." This transformation is mirrored in the symbolic ceremonial rituals that have developed around the fair. Devotees offer brinjals and clay pots to the presiding deity, while many others roast brinjals over an open flame, pairing them with rotis cooked on-site. The fair attracts pilgrims from surrounding villages who gather to enjoy a simple meal of roti and roasted brinjal (bhanta). Interestingly, the name "Lota Bhanta" is also linked to the traditional cooking method, where brinjals are cooked in earthen pots (lota) over a cowdung fire. The term "lota" refers to an earthen pot or pitcher, and "bhanta" means brinjal. The Ramnagar Bhanta holds significant cultural value, being a staple dish during the famous Ramnagar

Ramlila Ramlila or Ramleela (; literally 'Rama's lila or play') is any dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic ''Ramayana'' or secondary literature based on it such as the '' Ramcharitmanas''. It particular ...

, where thousands gather to watch the performance. Bati-Chokha, made with Ramnagar Bhanta, is a traditional and favorite dish in the region.

Geographical indication

It was awarded the

(GI) status tag from the Geographical Indications Registry, under the

Union Government of India The Government of India (ISO: Bhārata Sarakāra, legally the Union Government or Union of India or the Central Government) is the national authority of the Republic of India, located in South Asia, consisting of 36 states and union territo ...

, on 31 March 2023 and is valid until 3 November 2030. Kashi Vishwanath Farmer Producer Company from

Varanasi Varanasi (, also Benares, Banaras ) or Kashi, is a city on the Ganges river in northern India that has a central place in the traditions of pilgrimage, death, and mourning in the Hindu world.* * * * The city has a syncretic tradition of I ...

, proposed the GI registration of Ramnagar Bhanta (Brinjal). After filing the application in November 2020, the Brinjal was granted the GI tag in 2023 by the Geographical Indication Registry in

Chennai Chennai, also known as Madras (List of renamed places in India#Tamil Nadu, its official name until 1996), is the capital city, capital and List of cities in Tamil Nadu by population, largest city of Tamil Nadu, the southernmost states and ...

, making the name "Ramnagar Bhanta (Brinjal)" exclusive to the Brinjal grown in the region. It thus became the first brinjal variety from Uttar Pradesh and the 45th type of goods from Uttar Pradesh to earn the GI tag. The GI tag protects the brinjal from illegal selling and marketing, and gives it legal protection and a unique identity.

References

{{Reflist Eggplants Indian cuisine Uttar Pradeshi cuisine GI Tagged Brinjal varieties of India Economy of Uttar Pradesh Agriculture in Uttar Pradesh Varanasi district Geographical indications in Uttar Pradesh

Name

Description

Geographical indication

See also

References