In Vadodara, a woman sat on a protest in the middle of the road. She burst into tears because the panipuri vendor gave her two less golgappas. The video of this has gone viral. But do you know where golgappas came from? Who invented them?
Golgappa... the very name makes your mouth water, right? It wouldn't be wrong to call it the king of Indian street food. Men and women, children and the elderly... when it comes to golgappas, even the most patient people become impatient. Then they crave one more, just one more... just one more... In pursuit of one more golgappa, a woman in Vadodara, Gujarat, sat on a protest in the middle of the road. She burst into tears because the panipuri vendor gave her two less golgappas. The video of this incident has gone viral. But do you know where golgappas came from? Who invented it? How, through its many varieties, its taste became so popular. Let's find out in this spicy, food-loving story.
First, let's talk about the incident that's making golgappas the talk of the town. If you haven't seen the video yet, watch it first:
Get me 2 golgappas or get the cart removed
Actually, this woman sitting in the middle of the road and crying bitterly is from Vadodara, Gujarat. The woman was angry because she was given 2 Golgappa less at a Panipuri cart. She was supposed to get 6 Golgappa for 20 rupees, but the woman alleges that the cart vendor gave her only 4 Golgappa. The woman then staged a sit-in in the middle of the road near Sursagar Lake. She started crying bitterly. Due to her action, traffic jam started happening. When the policemen tried to explain, she started crying and said - this Panipuri vendor gives 6 Panipuri to everyone, he has given me 2 less. Either get me 2 more Panipuri or get his cart removed.
Well, this incident is just one example of why women are so crazy about golgappas. While it's a street food, you'll find them on menus from roadside stalls to the most upscale restaurants. Whether it's a chaat stall at a wedding function or a street corner cart, you'll find panipuri lovers everywhere. It's popular not only in India but also abroad.
What is the meaning of Golgappa, Panipuri?
The word Golgappa is made up of two words: gol, meaning round. The word gappa comes from "gapp" or "gulp," which means to swallow or put in the mouth. Thus, the literal meaning of golgappa is a round-shaped object that can be eaten by putting it in the mouth in one go. Similarly, the word panipuri also has two words: pani and puri. Pani means the sour, spicy liquid that holds the real magic of its taste. And puri means a small, round, crispy fried puri-like object filled with spicy water and eaten.
Many names, one taste
Although the names Golgappa and Panipuri are more popular, it has many other names also. In many states, it is prepared with different names and varieties and eaten with great relish. In UP, Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, MP, Himachal etc., the names Golgappa, Panipuri, Pani Batasha, Pani Tikki are more popular. The name Puchka is very famous in Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal etc. In many places it is also called Pakodi, Patashi, Phulki, Tikki. Countless experiments have been done with golgappas. They are eaten with different types of water.
PM Modi is also crazy about its taste.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also a fan of the delicious taste of golgappas, a glimpse of which was evident when Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited Delhi in 2023. PM Modi himself posted a video of himself relishing golgappas at the Buddha Jayanti Park in the capital. In the video, Kishida was seen relishing the golgappas. The person serving the golgappas asked him if he would like more. To this, PM Modi replied, "Yes, please give him another golgappa." Kishida then smiled and said, "I will try one more..."
