Food is never just food—it’s a memory, a story, and often a bridge between cultures. Goond Phera, also lovingly called Chatti Gundar in the Bohra community, is one such sweet treasure. When paired with the comforting charm of Panjiri, it transforms into something magical—a dessert that celebrates tradition, nourishment, and love.

A Sweet Journey: Where Bohra Meets Panjiri

In the Dawoodi Bohra community, Goond Phera (Chatti Gundar) is more than a confection. Made with roasted wheat flour, ghee, fried tragacanth gum (gundh), and just a few simple flavourings, it has been prepared for generations. Its value lies in its simplicity, its comforting warmth, and its nourishing qualities.

On the other hand, Panjiri, a North Indian classic, is slightly more elaborate. While the base is similar—roasted wheat flour and ghee—Panjiri often includes an array of dry fruits, edible gum, fennel seeds, lotus seeds (makhana), melon seeds, and even ajwain (carom seeds). These additions make it a powerhouse of energy, especially given to new mothers for postnatal recovery.

👉 So what’s the difference?

Goond Phera (Chatti Gundar): Simple, subtle, Bohra-style—made with wheat flour, ghee, tragacanth gum, a touch of cardamom, saffron, and sometimes nuts.
Panjiri: Heavier, spiced, and more elaborate—includes a variety of seeds, spices, and nuts beyond the basics.

Yet, the two sweets remain strikingly similar in their purpose: to nourish, comfort, and celebrate life’s milestones. Where Panjiri is deeply rooted in North Indian households, Goond Phera is treasured in Bohra kitchens worldwide.

Festival Connection: Why Goond Phera Matters

Among the Bohra community, naming ceremonies are one of the most special occasions where Goond Phera shines. Its sweetness symbolises joy, while its wholesome ingredients represent blessings for the newborn and strength for the mother.

But Goond Phera is not confined to ceremonies—it’s also a dessert savoured by families during intimate gatherings, a reminder of tradition with every bite.

Cooking Tips for Perfect Goond Phera

✔️ Roast flour on low flame until golden (never brown).
✔️ Make sure ghee is hot before frying gundh.
✔️ Always sieve icing sugar for a smooth texture.
✔️ Store airtight to retain aroma and freshness.

Serving Suggestions

✨ A must-have during Bohra naming ceremonies.
✨ A nourishing treat for new mothers, lighter than Panjiri but still full of energy.
✨ A sweet that doubles as a comforting snack with tea, enjoyed by anyone who loves wholesome Indian sweets.

A Mother’s Love in Every Bite

This recipe holds a special place in my heart because it comes from the last video I ever recorded of my beloved mother making it with her hands. Her grace, her patience while roasting the atta, her gentle stirring of gundh—those are moments preserved forever in this dish.

For her, Goond Phera was more than a sweet—it was an inheritance of tradition. She often infused it with a slight Panjiri-inspired twist, connecting Bohra culture with Indian culinary practices, yet never forgetting the simplicity that makes Goond Phera uniquely ours.

A Fusion Beyond Borders

Whether you call it Goond Phera, Chatti Gundar, or Goond Pak, this sweet tells a story. It carries the simplicity of Bohra kitchens and the richness of Indian Panjiri traditions.

Panjiri may be fuller, heavier, and loaded with ingredients.
Goond Phera is lighter, subtler, and elegantly simple.

And together, they remind us that food isn’t just about ingredients—it’s about love, nourishment, and culture interwoven.

Goond Phera: Bohra Style Panjiri

Recipe by Rashida AmijeeCourse: Snacks, DessertCuisine: Bohra, PunjabiDifficulty: Moderate

Yield

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

minutes

Calories

300

kcal

Total time

minutes

Delight in Goond Phera, a traditional Bohra sweet wheat confection made with wholesome ingredients, perfect as a festive dessert or nourishing snack.

Ingredients

* 3 cups Atta (whole wheat flour)
* 1/2 cup Ghee (clarified butter)
* 2 handfuls of Gundh (Tragacanth Gum)
* Icing Sugar, to taste (approximately 250g-300g)
* 1-2 tsp Cardamom Powder
* 2-3 pinches of Kesar (Saffron)
* Slivered Almonds & Pista (optional)

Directions

Heat 1/2 cup of ghee in a large bottom pan. Once the ghee is hot, add the gundh (Tragacanth Gum) and fry them until they puff up. Once they’ve puffed up, remove them and place them on a plate.
In the same pan with the remaining heated ghee, add the whole wheat flour (Atta). Roast the flour on a low flame until it changes color and releases a wonderful aroma. This should take about 15-20 minutes. Stir continuously to avoid burning at the bottom.
Mix in the cardamom powder to infuse the aromatic flavor into the roasted flour.
Add the previously fried puffed gundh (Tragacanth Gum) to the flour mixture. Follow this with the addition of kesar (saffron) for that delightful golden hue.
Allow the mixture to cool down to a touchable temperature.
Once the mixture has cooled, gently add the sieved icing sugar. The sweetness of Goond Phera is subtle, and the icing sugar will lend the perfect level of sweetness. Adjust according to your taste preference.
If you choose to add slivered almonds and pistachios, this is the time to do it. They’ll add a delightful crunch and visual appeal to the dessert.
Mix all the ingredients thoroughly, ensuring an even distribution of flavors.
Store your delicious Goond Phera in an airtight container, letting the flavors meld and mature.
Enjoy the enchanting flavors of Goond Phera as they transport you to a world of tradition and taste.

Recipe Video

Notes

Cooking Tips:
Keep a close eye on the roasting process. The flour should turn golden but not brown.
Ensure the ghee is heated thoroughly before adding the gundh for puffing.
Adjust the amount of icing sugar to your desired level of sweetness.
Store Goond Phera in an airtight container to maintain its freshness.
Serving Suggestions: Goond Phera is best enjoyed during Bohra naming ceremonies, where it takes center stage as a symbol of celebration. It’s also a delightful treat for new mothers, offering nourishment and sweetness during a special time in their lives. Beyond these occasions, Goond Phera is a dessert that can be savored by anyone with a sweet tooth and an appreciation for cultural fusion.

Watch the Magic Unfold 🎥

To see this recipe come alive, and to experience the emotion behind it, watch the full video of my mother making Goond Phera on my YouTube channel:

Preserving Tradition, One Sweet Bite at a Time

Goond Phera isn’t just a dessert—it’s a bridge between heritage and heart. With its Panjiri-inspired essence, it represents the union of two cultures while keeping its Bohra soul intact.

The next time you make this sweet, remember: you’re not only cooking, you’re preserving a legacy. From naming ceremonies to comforting teatime indulgences, Goond Phera will always carry the sweetness of tradition.

💛 Happy cooking, and may every bite remind you of the love and culture it holds.