Mau is a major industrial city in eastern Uttar Pradesh, known for its prosperous textile and powerloom industries. The sarees manufactured here are similar in style to Banarasi sarees. Under the One District One Cuisine Programme, Litti-Chokha and Gontha ki Bheli have been selected for Mau district.
Mau’s Litti-Chokha is primarily popular in Mau city, Ghosi, Madhuban, and Mohammadabad Gohna. This traditional dish consists of Litti filled with Sattu and Chokha prepared from brinjal, potatoes, and tomatoes. It is a popular and integral part of the culinary culture of Purvanchal.
Mau’s Gantha Ki Bheli is prepared by slowly thickening sugarcane juice and shaping it into small, knotted pieces of jaggery. Known for its natural sweetness and distinctive aroma, it is traditionally used in tea, beverages, and local dishes. Rooted in Mau’s sugarcane-rich landscape, it reflects the simplicity and ingenuity of traditional food-making.
Mau’s jaggery reflects the district’s strong connection with sugarcane cultivation and traditional rural food-making. Fresh sugarcane juice is slowly boiled in large iron pans until it thickens and is then moulded into solid blocks. Its natural sweetness, earthy aroma, and traditional preparation make it a distinctive part of Mau’s culinary heritage.