Khaja: The Crispy, Layered Sweet from Silao

Khaja is a delectable sweet that holds a special place in Bihar's culinary heritage. It consists of extremely thin layers of dough that are stacked, rolled, and then deep-fried until golden and crispy. The fried pastry is then soaked in a fragrant sugar syrup. For more on Bihar's GI-tagged foods, see Bihar's GI-Tagged Products. It is a highlight of Bihari Cuisine. The town of Silao is near the historic city of Rajgir.,While Khaja is made across the state, the version from Silao, a small town in the Nalanda district, is legendary. Silao's Khaja is so unique in its texture and taste that it has been granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag. It is famous for having as many as 52 distinct layers, making it exceptionally light and flaky.,The sweet is an essential part of weddings and festivals in Bihar, much like Balushahi. A bite into a piece of Khaja is a delightful experience, with the crispiness of the pastry giving way to the sweetness of the syrup. It is a true testament to the artistry of Bihari sweet-makers.

Keywords: khaja, silao khaja, bihari sweets, gi tag bihar, nalanda, traditional dessert