Originally posted by: Interstellarr
Iridescent diyas and candles, fireworks and plenty of food. These are some of the ways Diwali, also known as the "festival of lights", is celebrated across India.
Commemorated across different religions, Diwali is a common time to celebrate the victory of good over evil in all its forms through light. This is why, during Diwali, India literally lights up: candles, fireworks, oil lamps, lanterns, floral decorations, small electric lights. Light is brought everywhere, but especially in homes and sacred places.
In Varanasi, one of the holiest places in India , this festival is celebrated by letting go of candles on the water of the sacred river, the Ganges. The Ganges illuminated by thousands of small lights is a suggestive sight.
In northern India, around the Golden Temple (the sacred temple of the Sikhs), grandiose celebrations are held to celebrate the liberation of Guru Hargobind Singh. The Sikhs gather with their turbans around the temple fully lit by electric lights, oil lamps and candles lit by devotees.
In Goa, on the other hand, in the south of India, Diwali is celebrated with fireworks. These serve to ward off the demon Narakasura, who was cast out of the area thousands of years ago by Krishna. The local population depicts the expulsion of Narakasura from Goa carrying the effigies of the devil away from the town and celebrating the liberation with spectacular fireworks.
Celebrating Diwali at the table with loved ones is another special occasion. Between mithai, savoury snacks, delicious meals with family and friends, our gastronomy offers a wide range of dishes different for each region, with traditional recipes that represent the heart of tradition in India. From north to south, if the classic Diwali products are missing at the table, one almost gets the impression that it is not Diwali.
Here are some of the traditional Diwali meals that will surely make you nostalgic.
1-Gulab jamun: a delicious dough made with powdered milk and flour, then fried and dipped in a syrup flavored with cardamom, rose water, kewra and saffron. It has an intense and fragrant flavor, with an irresistible taste.
2- Jalebi: the most famous Indian spiral dessert made with all purpose flour batter, scented with saffron, after frying it is immersed in a sugar syrup.
3-Malpua: a very inviting and delicious fried batter. Many versions that vary from region to region: the spices mainly used to perfume the dough are saffron, fennel, raisins, almonds, coconut and cardamom. It is a pancake which, once fried, is soaked in a very sweet syrup made from sugar and rose water.
4- Nankhatai: Indian shortbread biscuits scented with cardamom and nutmeg. Soft and delicate, these biscuits made with flour, sugar and ghee, are very easy to make and to be enjoyed preferably next to a cup of tea.
5- Rabri: a sweet widespread especially in the northern areas of India, mainly based on milk. Cooked in its traditional pan called kadai, it is a dessert with an intense, unusual and delicate taste. Wisely flavored with cardamom and saffron, then enriched with dried fruit grains, it becomes a delicate delight capable of satisfying even the palates of the most skeptical.
6- Chum Chum: a traditional Bengali sweet which is prepared from a mixture of flour, cream, sugar and milk, flavored with saffron, lemon juice, grated coconut which give it different colours. The typical ones are pink, pale yellow or white.
7- Mysore pak: straight from the kitchens of the Mysore palace, it is a very simple dessert made up of besan, ghee and sugar, the making of which is not as simple as it might seem. The dough is cooked in sugar syrup and clarified butter, over low heat, stirring continuously without stopping.
8- Shakarparra and Namakparraā deep fried crispy snacks, made from a dough of flour, ghee and semolina. While Namakparra are savoury and served with a chutney, Shakarparras are sweet.
Of course, there are also more savory snacks like Samosa, Aloo Tikki, Aloo Kachori and sev.
This was a just small memory down the lane to
make you all nostalgic.
What are the dish that you associate with this festival of light? Share with us a traditional recipe that you loved as a kid or even now. What is that one sweet or savory Diwali snack on your must eat list without with this festival is incomplete? So foodies, do share with us your favorite!
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
