Mushroom or Mutton?

It was a typical weekday morning at Bishnupur market. The entire place was buzzing with activity: buyers haggling with hawkers, shopkeepers vying for prospective buyers’ attention and the regular cacophony of people. Amidst such hustle-bustle, a woman was selling Karan Chhatu. But wait, what is Karan chhatu? Do you eat it raw? Or is it something you need to cook? She smiled at said, “Didi atah toh buno mushroom. Naam tai ja alada go..” (Didi this is wild mushroom. Only the name is a bit different.”

A rare mushroom found in the jungles of Bishnupur during autumn, just after the rains subside, Karan Chhatu is almost exotic. Locals swear by its heavenly taste and are even willing to go beyond their means to buy this precious commodity at an outrageous rate of almost 600 rupees per kg. Can you imagine that?

The locals confidently said Karan Chhatu can transcend any fish, chicken and even mutton preparations. People wait for the entire year to buy them. It is usually sold from the time of ‘Jeetashtami’ (held in September-October) till Trayodashi (13^th day after Mahalaya). Although other types of mushrooms can be cultivated, efforts to grow Karan Chhatu in the agricultural field have failed. Perhaps this is why this rare mushroom has gained popularity.

This mushroom is gradually becoming a hot favourite item among tourists, who swear by its delicious taste. The locals say, “Kheye dekhben, machh er sadh bhule jaben.”