Maner Sweets-Bihta

How did the idea come up

The idea to open a new outlet in Bihta was started by my father – Late Suresh Prasad Gupta. After a new road built from Bihta Chowk to Khagaul – the distance for travelers was now much shorter what was earlier. One had to travel all the way via Maner and Danapur Cant to reach Patna. After the new road built by the National Highway authorities – travelers can enjoy driving on this new stretch to reach Patna.

As Maner Sweets-Maner – our strategy was only travelers who would stop to take a break for snacks and sweets and head on further to their destination. Sales started to slump with only a few customers (travelers) visiting Maner. Most of the travelers preferred using the new road towards Patna.

My father was in a rush to buy land in Bihta – but when he finally decided to buy one – the land rates in Bihta were sky rocketing – land prices right now are almost similar to Bangalore and New Delhi commercial properties.

Added more to that, development was on a rise with NDRF, ESIC, Bharat Petroleum & Apollo Hospital setting up new ventures in business in Bihta. It is estimated that Rs. 2000 crore is to be invested in Bihta (5 years) and had been declared by the government as an “Industrial Park”.

With my father’s hope to start a new outlet in Bihta – land prices were too high to invest. Unfortunately, my father met with an accident after he fell from a staircase while attending a wedding in Kanpur. We lost him on 03rd January, 2011.

New Gen Entrepreneurs.
Fortunately, all family members have got some sort of training in the sweet business. I remember while I was working in New Delhi & Bangalore – I had to rush every Diwali to help in the family business.

Manish Kumar Gupta : A Symbiosis Mass Communication graduate from Pune. Has worked with Star TV Mumbai for 2 years. Thinking of aiming big – quit the Mumbai life and started to work in the family business.

Rajiv Kumar – ahh- that’s me.
Worked in American Express(New Delhi) and then shifted to Bangalore. Worked for 6 years in Bangalore with Oracle and Logica. With 8 years of Corporate experience – it was time to venture on something new.
Added to this – finished my executive MBA from NMIMS –Bangalore,,,there was nothing stopping to be an entrepreneur.  

 

Preparation

It took us almost 6/7 months to work on the logistics, paper work, interiors, hiring staff & finances.
Fortunately, my MBA project was based on this new venture – Bihta.
We finally decided to open on April 18th, 2011.

View - at the entrance

What we offer
The new outlet boasts ample space for Customers and travelers who can sit, relax and enjoy their delicacies. Above all, washrooms are one of the best in town. There is a wide variety of sweets ranging from Kaju, Chena, Khoya and Laddoo's.

Maner-my roots

Maner (Patna, Bihar)

History : In the early ages, Maner was a centre of learning and it is said that grammarian Panini, and also Bararuchi, lived and studied here. Maner contains two well-known Mohammedan tombs, that of Shah Daulat or Makhdum Daulat, known as Chhoti Dargah, and the other that of Sheikh Yahia Maneri or Makhdum Yahia, called the Bari Dargah. Makhdum Daulat died at Maner in 1608, and Ibrahim Khan, Governor of Bihar and one of the saint's disciples completed the erection of his mausoleum in 1616. The building is exceptionally fine one, with walls containing carvings of great delicacy and high finish. A great dome crowns it, and the ceiling is covered with carved inscriptions from the Quran. Every detail of it is characteristic of the architecture of Jehangir's region, and it is by far the finest monument of the Mughals in Eastern India. Inside the compound there is a mosque also built by Ibrahim Khan in 1619, whiles a fine gateway bearing an older inscription corresponding to 1603-01, and affords access to the north. The tomb of Yahia Maneri lies in a mosque walls and ghats, and pillared porticos jutting out into it, which is connected with the old bed of the River Sone by a tunnel 400-ft long.

All about Maner

Maner is a beautiful town farly tucked away from the hustle n bustle of City life. It serves as a mid point for travellers and is on the National Higway - Patna to Ara.

The total distance from Patna to Maner is a mere 35 kms - thanks to the beautiful roads - and it can be covered in 45 minutes. The only hastle is crossing the Danapur cantonment - where the speed limit is not beyond 20 km/hr.

Maner has it's own charm. From the Maner high school to the Dargah - you will find at both sides of the road - long Pipal trees which serves as a green cover. Now the Dargah has hit limelight and many frequent travellers do make a visit. In Chath - Maner is a favorite spot as it is very near the River Sone.

Maner is also a very safe place to live. People are friendly and hospitable. As Bihta is nearby - it serves as a good spot for commerical business.

Maner Ka Laddoo : too less to write a blog. It's one of the famous shops that sells - Maner Ka Laddoo. Having lived the dark age of political riot of 15 years and the global recession - it's one of those establishment that has it's own charm and way to serve customers. Maner ka Laddoo - you have to be there to taste those laddoo's.

What is so special : as experts say and i have heard - the ground level water - a source from the river sone - is very sweets. So the Boondi - which acts as an ingrdient of the Laddoo - soaks all the water as ras and binds it together to form a Laddoo. And to that - the beautiful essence - Kewra (essence from Kannauj) - it's sold in thousand per KG - gives a more aromatic taste.

Maner Sweets has lived upto to a couple of generations - as the 3rd generation of entrepreneurs run the shop. It is as old India got it's independance. Some of the famous personalities who have stopped to have a taste are Indira Gandhi, late VP Singh, Kunal (bhojpuri actor), Laloo, Rocky & Mayur (Highway on my plate) & Vindo Dua,,long list. Infact, i have seen lot of documentaries been produced.

There is the Ghee Laddoo, Dalda Special and Ordinary Laddoo. They also have a brand in Patna (Maurya Lok Complex).