Jahangeer Ganaie
Pulwama, Mar 29: The Rajpora area, situated about five kilometres from Pulwama’s district headquarters, is renowned for its traditional flatbread, Sheermal.
This delicacy, enjoyed with salt tea (Sheer Chai), is an essential part of festive occasions and ceremonies in Kashmir.
Sheermal is a circular, flatbread with a furrowed surface, adorned with sesame seeds that enhance its taste and appearance.
Mohammad Sultan Sofi, a seasoned baker in Rajpora, has been working tirelessly at his local bakery, known as Kander Wan, to meet the soaring demand for Sheermal ahead of Eid and other celebrations. Like him, around 30 bakers in this historic village prepare the brownish, sesame-coated bread, upholding a long-standing culinary tradition.
Speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Sultan recalls that Sheermal was once a luxury item, affordable only to the wealthy. However, with improved socio-economic conditions, it has become a staple on festive occasions and social gatherings across Kashmir.
Rajpora’s Sheermal is so well-regarded that orders pour in from Kashmiris residing outside the valley and even abroad.
Pamposh Ahmad, another baker, said this Sheermal is famous due to the unwavering commitment of local bakers to quality. “Kashmiris visiting home buy Sheermal in bulk to take back and gift to non-locals,” he said.
During Eid and similar occasions, hundreds of customers from distant areas flock to Rajpora to purchase Sheermal. Each baker sells around a thousand kilogram of Sheermal during Eid, making it a profitable livelihood for those in the trade.
Longtime customers, like Manzoor Ahmad from Anantnag, express a deep preference for Rajpora’s Sheermal over those made elsewhere. “Sheermal from other places lacks the same delicate taste,” he said, adding that it has been a tradition in his family to buy Rajpora Sheermal and distribute it among relatives.
This beloved bread holds cultural significance, being served at engagement and wedding ceremonies, circumcisions, and religious events like Eid.
Sheermal comes in two distinct varieties—sweet and salty. The sweet version pairs perfectly with Kehwa, a traditional spiced green tea, while the salty one is best enjoyed with Noon Chai or Sheer Chai.
For Kashmiris, Sheermal is a symbol of tradition, festivity and cherished gatherings—(KNO)
