Nakshi Pitha

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Nakshi Pitha, also called Pakkon Pitha, is a Bangladeshi cake made from rice flour and decorated with intricate designs on its surface. It comes from the Narsingdi District in the Bengal region of Bangladesh.

The art of Nakshi Pitha began during the British period when a girl in a Meghna River village created patterns on pitha inspired by local artwork. The craft was developed and the designs are now made with molds. There are many patterns, such as Sankhlata, Kajalalata, Chiral, Hijalpata, Sajnepata, Uriaful, Bent (Vat) flower, Padmadighi, Sagardighi, Sarpus, Champabaran, Kanyamukha, and Jamimukha, among others.

Nakshi pitha is often given as a gift or served as an invitation dish during festivals. Bangladesh holds a Pitha festival every year on Poush Sankranti, where about 130 different Nakshi pitha varieties are showcased.