Introduction to Diwali
Diwali, the “Festival of Lights,” is a Hindu celebration in India and beyond. It symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. The key elements are lighting lamps, prayers, gift exchanges, fireworks, feasting, and home decoration. Diwali promotes family unity, new beginnings, and joy, transcending religious boundaries.
Brief history of Diwali
Diwali, with origins dating back to ancient India, is a festival deeply rooted in Hindu, Jain, and Sikh traditions. It celebrates the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. Over time, it has evolved into a cultural celebration uniting people of various faiths, marked by the lighting of lamps, prayers, gift-giving, feasting, and fireworks. Diwali is a testament to India’s cultural diversity and unity.
Why is Diwali celebrated
Diwali is celebrated to mark the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. It commemorates Lord Rama’s return, the worship of Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity, Lord Mahavira’s nirvana in Jainism, and the release of Guru Hargobind Ji in Sikhism. Diwali is also a cultural celebration promoting unity, family togetherness, and the sharing of joy.
Brief about the food – clothing- decor presented during Diwali time
Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a major Hindu festival celebrated by people all over the world. It is a time for families and friends to come together, exchange gifts, and enjoy delicious food and festivities.
Food
Diwali is a time of feasting and celebration, and food plays a major role in the festivities. Some of the most popular Diwali foods include:
- Sweets: Diwali is known for its delicious sweets, such as gulab jamun, ladoo, jalebi, and barfi. These sweets are often made with nuts, dried fruits, and milk products, and are decorated with silver leaf and other edible embellishments.
- Savories: Diwali savories include dishes such as samosas, kachori, pakoras, and chaat. These dishes are typically made with potatoes, peas, paneer, and other vegetarian ingredients, and are served with a variety of chutneys and sauces.
- Main courses: Diwali main courses include dishes such as biryani, pulao, and korma. These dishes are typically made with rice or meat, and are served with a variety of vegetables and side dishes.
Clothing
Diwali is a time to dress up in new clothes and celebrate. Traditional Diwali clothing for men includes kurtas, dhotis, and sherwanis. Traditional Diwali clothing for women includes saris, lehengas, and salwar kameezes.
Many people also choose to wear modern or Western clothing on Diwali. However, it is important to dress respectfully, as Diwali is a religious festival.
Decor
Diwali is a time to decorate homes and businesses with lights, flowers, and other festive decorations. Some of the most popular Diwali decorations include:
- Diyas: Diyas are small clay lamps that are filled with oil and lit on Diwali night. They are placed all over the house, inside and out, to symbolize the victory of light over darkness.
- Rangoli: Rangoli are colorful designs that are created on the floor using colored powders, sand, and flowers. They are often created in the entrance of the house to welcome guests.
- Lights: Diwali is also known as the Festival of Lights, so it is no surprise that lights play a major role in the decorations. String lights, lanterns, and other light decorations are hung all over houses and businesses.
Diwali is a time for celebration and joy, and food, clothing, and decor all play a role in making the festival special.
Indian rich and classic dishes to make in Diwali
Papdi Chaat
Ingredients:
- 20-25 papdis (crispy deep-fried flour discs)
- 1 cup boiled and mashed potatoes
- 1/2 cup boiled chickpeas
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onions
- 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
- 1/4 cup sweet tamarind chutney
- 1/4 cup green chutney (made with mint and coriander)
- 1/2 cup yogurt
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon roasted cumin powder
- Salt to taste
- Chopped coriander leaves for garnish
- Sev (crispy chickpea flour noodles) for garnish
Method:
- Arrange the papdis on a serving plate.
- Top each papdi with mashed potatoes, chickpeas, onions, and tomatoes.
- Drizzle sweet tamarind chutney and green chutney over the toppings.
- In a bowl, mix yogurt with red chili powder, roasted cumin powder, and salt. Spoon this mixture over the papdis.
- Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and sev. Serve immediately.
Thandai: Traditional Indian Drink
Ingredients:
- 1 cup almonds
- 1/4 cup cashews
- 1/4 cup pistachios
- 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
- 1 tablespoon melon seeds
- 10-12 black peppercorns
- 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon cardamom seeds
- A pinch of saffron strands
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 cups milk
Method:
- Soak almonds in hot water to peel them. Grind almonds, cashews, pistachios, poppy seeds, melon seeds, black peppercorns, fennel seeds, cardamom seeds, and saffron strands into a fine paste.
- Boil the milk and add sugar, then let it cool.
- Mix the nut paste with the milk and refrigerate for a few hours.
- Serve chilled.
Aloo Tikki
Ingredients:
- 4 medium-sized potatoes, boiled and mashed
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons cornflour
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- Salt to taste
- Oil for frying
Method:
- In a bowl, combine mashed potatoes, bread crumbs, cornflour, red chili powder, garam masala, and salt.
- Shape the mixture into small, flat patties or tikkis.
- Heat oil in a pan and fry the tikkis until they are golden brown and crispy on both sides.
- Serve hot with chutney.
Veg Biryani
Ingredients
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 1.5 cups mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, beans, etc.)
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- 1/4 cup plain yogurt
- 2 tsp biryani masala
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- 1/2 tsp garam masala
- 2 cups water
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
- Rinse the rice and soak for 30 minutes.
- In a large pot, heat oil and sauté the onions until golden.
- Add vegetables, spices, and yogurt. Cook for a few minutes.
- Drain the rice and add it to the pot. Stir well.
- Add water, bring to a boil, and then simmer, covered, until the rice is cooked.
- Fluff the biryani with a fork before serving.
Dal Panchmel
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup tuvar dal (split pigeon peas)
- 1/4 cup chana dal (split Bengal gram)
- 1/4 cup moong dal (split green gram)
- 1/4 cup urad dal (split black gram)
- 1/4 cup masoor dal (red lentils)
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp garam masala
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Wash and soak all dals for 30 minutes.
- Cook dals with water, turmeric, and salt until soft.
- In a separate pan, heat oil, add cumin seeds, and sauté onions.
- Add tomatoes, spices, and cooked dal.
- Simmer for a few minutes.
Malai Kofta Curry
Ingredients
For Koftas:
- 2 cups mashed paneer (cottage cheese)
- 1/4 cup grated potatoes
- 1/4 cup grated carrots
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- Salt, pepper, and garam masala to taste
For Curry:
- 1 cup tomato-onion paste
- 1/2 cup fresh cream
- 1/2 tsp ginger-garlic paste
- 1 tsp garam masala
- Salt and sugar to taste
Instructions
- Mix kofta ingredients, shape into balls, and fry until golden.
- In a separate pan, heat oil, add ginger-garlic paste, and sauté tomato-onion paste.
- Add spices and cream.
- Simmer and add koftas.
Missi Roti
Ingredients
- 1 cup besan (gram flour)
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1 tsp ajwain (carom seeds)
- Salt to taste
- Water for kneading
Instructions
- Mix both flours, oil, ajwain, and salt.
- Knead into a soft dough using water.
- Roll into rotis and cook on a hot griddle.
Gulab Jamun
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk powder
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup ghee (clarified butter)
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
For Sugar Syrup:
- Sugar, water, cardamom, and rose essence
Instructions
- Mix milk powder, flour, ghee, baking soda, and milk to form a smooth dough.
- Shape into small balls and fry until golden.
- Soak in hot sugar syrup.
Rabdi Malpua
Ingredients
For Malpua:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 tsp cardamom powder
For Rabdi:
- 2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup sugar
Instructions
- Mix malpua ingredients into a batter and fry in ghee.
- Boil milk and sugar for rabdi until it thickens.
- Soak malpuas in rabdi and serve.
Conclusion
Diwali is a vibrant and joyous festival celebrated by people of diverse backgrounds, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and the pursuit of prosperity and spiritual growth. It is a time for family gatherings, the exchange of gifts, and the enjoyment of delectable Indian dishes like Veg Biryani, Dal Panchmel, Malai Kofta Curry, Missi Roti, Gulab Jamun, and Rabdi Malpua. These recipes represent the rich and delicious culinary traditions associated with Diwali, making the festival a feast for the senses and a celebration of unity and hope. Wishing all our readers a very happy & prosperous Diwali!
Dr. Kaviraj Khialani- Celebrity Master Chef, is a Mumbai based food- health & lifestyle consultant. With around 25 years of quality experience with hotels, airlines, consultancy – training & development he is a recipient of several national awards & global recognitions. Chef Kaviraj is specialised in over 33 international cuisines and loves fusion cooking, creating new recipes and sharing his experience with foodies around the globe. He has also been featured on star plus & colors television on several food shows. He may be contacted via email: chefkaviraj249@gmail.com / WhatsApp- 9820939336.