Kedarnath Aggarwal, The Man Who Made Bikanervala A Household Name, Dies At 86

Lala Kedarnath Aggarwal, renowned for peddling bhujia and rasgullas in buckets along the streets of old Delhi before establishing the confectionery and snacks empire, Bikanervala, passed away at the age of 86 on Monday.

The demise of Aggarwal, fondly known as Kakaji, "marked the end of an era that has enriched palates and touched countless lives," Bikanervala said in a statement. The company operates more than 60 outlets in India and has presence in countries such as the USA, New Zealand, Singapore, Nepal and the UAE.

According to Shyam Sunder Aggarwal, the Managing Director of the group, Kakaji's demise is not only a loss for Bikanervala but also creates a void in the culinary landscape. His visionary leadership will forever guide the culinary journey of the company.

Kedarnath Aggarwal embarked on his entrepreneurial journey in Delhi, originating from Bikaner, where his family had operated a sweet shop since 1905 named Bikaner Namkeen Bhandar, offering a limited selection of sweets and snacks.

In the early 50s, Aggarwal, driven by grand aspirations, migrated to Delhi with his brother Satyanarayan Aggarwal, introducing the family's cherished recipes to the city. Despite the initial struggles of peddling buckets of bhujia and rasgulla on the streets of old Delhi, the unique taste of Bikaner, coupled with the Aggarwal brothers' relentless efforts, gained recognition and acceptance among the people.

Subsequently, the Aggarwal brothers established a shop in Delhi's Chandini Chowk, where they employed family recipes passed down through generations. Bikaner Namkeen Bhandar, eventually known as Bikanervala, became renowned for its Moong Dal Halwa, Bikaneri Bhujia, Kaju Katli, and other delicacies.

As Radhey Mohan Aggarwal, the Director of Bikanervala Group and eldest son of Kakaji, bids farewell to a legend, he pledges to carry forward the legacy with a profound sense of responsibility. Bikanervala is committed to upholding Kakaji's values, ensuring that every dish narrates a story and every customer is regarded as part of the extended family.