Nanjangud Rasabaale – A unique variety of Banana from Nanjangud and unfortunately endangered

Apart from the famous Najundeshwara (Shiva) temple, the famous five Brindavanas of Swamiji’s of Sri Raghavendra Swami Mutt lineage and the river Kapila, Nanajangud, a small town about 21 kms from Mysore is rather famous for its unique variety of Banana called the “Nanajangud Rasabale”, “Rasabale” itself is a unique variety of Banana and is known for its sweetness and flavor. Unlike the Plantain types, which we get normally, Rasabale is sweeter and has a smoother texture. Nanjangud Rasabale is a variety of Rasabale that has a very unique taste and slightly grainy to smooth texture. This banana is grown only in the areas surrounding Nanjangud. These bananas are rarely available in the market but are picked up immediately once they arrive in the famous Devaraja Market at Mysore. It could be quite expensive and cost anywhere between 5-10 rupees each.

I heard from a local person that the area under cultivation for Nanjangud Rasabale has dwindled over the years due to the difficulty in nurturing and growing the Banana plants which is prone to diseases. Also, the farmer indicated that due to government apathy and lack of price support, incentives and crop protection, the chances of the famous Nanjangud Rasabale surviving the next few decades are rather slim.