The Famous BalishMisti of Netrokona

Netrokona is a beautiful district with unique features of history and heritage. The district has been multi-dimensional culture since prehistoric times. This district is famous in Bangladesh for its delicious sweets. This traditional and famous sweet is known as 'BalishMisti'. According to the proverb: "We go to sleep with our head on the pillow. But there is another type of pillow in Netrokona, which is not made of cotton. It is also fluffy, but it is eaten without the head." Introduction of balishmisti (pillow sweets): One of the most famous sweets in Netrokona district of Mymensingh division of Bangladesh. It's not as big as a pillow in size, but it looks a lot like a pillow, and it looks like a pillow with a coating on top of it. This sweet is also known as "Gayanath'sBalish".

Invention of Balishmisti (pillow sweets):GuyanathGhoshal is the father of pillow sweets in Netrokona. Among the Hindus here, the Ghosh family is famous for making sweets. GayanathGhosh, the proprietor of 'GayanathMistannaBhandar' on Barhatta Road in Netrokona, invented pillow sweets more than a hundred years ago. Gayanath's dream was to become immortal by inventing a new kind of sweet. One day he made a huge sweet and gave it to the buyers to eat, which the buyers appreciated very much. Its shape is a lot like a pillow (like a chomchom in Tangail). So on the advice of buyers, the sweet is named Balish. As it is incomparable in taste, the name of the pillow spread everywhere in a short time. GayanathGhosh is also widely known as its inventor. So at one time his name also became associated with the pillow. The name of the popular pillow became Gaynathbalish( 'Gayanath's pillow') Ingredients for BalishMisti (pillow sweets):Netrokona pillow sweets are made with milk-puppies, sugar and flour. The pulp is first made by mixing a little flour with the milk chick. Pillows of different sizes are made with pulp. Later it is fried in hot sugar juice. After that it is kept cold and dipped in sugar juice for a long time. At one time it became taitambur in juice. Milk paste or milk cream is given on the pillow during the sale.

Size and price of BalishMisti (pillow sweets): Pillows are sold as pieces. Its common size is three. The price is 20, 50 and 100 rupees. Pillows priced at Rs 200 are 13 to 14 inches in size. The weight of the sweet is 800 to 1000 grams. The sellers also make pillows worth 50-100 rupees. Pillows weighing more than this are also made. However, it is made to order. In Netrokona, pillows also dominate the menu for weddings or birthdays or other social or office-court functions. Many people take pillows with them when they visit their relatives.