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Abdul Karim, an experienced artisan of Taj Hotel, says that it takes about 6 to 7 hours to prepare this special ‘Mutton Paya’. This dish, prepared with a mixture of about 30 types of hot spices, is famous for its unique taste.
DhanbadJharia of Dhanbad is famous not only for its coal mines but also for its special dishes, Mutton Paya of Taj Hotel here has remained the center of people’s taste for the last 50 years, The popularity of this mutton paya is such that apart from Dhanbad, people from Bokaro, Giridih, Asansol and many districts of West Bengal also reach Taj Hotel especially to taste it,
Abdul Karim, an experienced artisan of Taj Hotel, says that it takes about 6 to 7 hours to prepare this special ‘Mutton Paya’. First the paya is softened by roasting it on fire for about two and a half hours, after that it is cleaned thoroughly and cooked in spices. This dish, prepared with a mixture of about 30 types of hot spices, is famous for its unique taste. More than 200 paisa are consumed daily and its price is ₹160 per piece.
Calcium deficiency goes away
He told that 25 kg onion, olive oil and about 2 kg mustard oil are used to cook paya in a big drum. Due to the aroma of spices and long cooking time on low flame, its taste becomes very delicious.
Mohammad Kalam, who is running the Taj Hotel, says that this shop has been running since 1956. The specialty of Mutton Paya is not only its taste but also its health benefits. They claim that eating it removes calcium deficiency in the body. Provides relief from joint pain and is also considered beneficial for TB patients. Especially the elders consider this dish as ‘nectar’.
Earlier Paya used to come from Hyderabad
This delicious mutton paya is available only during winter season. It is sold only in the three months from the festival of Chhath to Holi. Kalam tells that in the initial phase the price of its two pieces used to be only ₹ 2, but with the increase in inflation over time, today it has reached ₹ 160.
Earlier paya was procured from Hyderabad by air, whereas now it is supplied by train from the markets of Kolkata. Goats’ feet are used in Jharkhand. Their weight is about 10 kg. Whereas the paas found from Kolkata and Hyderabad are of healthy goats weighing 30 kg, whose bones are rich in calcium.
