Celebrate the Festival of Lights with Delicious Diwali Faral

Diwali, the festival of lights, is a time when homes are adorned with lamps, rangoli, and vibrant decorations. It’s also a season when families come together to celebrate the victory of light over darkness. It’s a time for family gatherings, the lighting of oil lamps (Diyas), and exchanging gifts. But one aspect of Diwali that brings immense joy to the festivities is the preparation and sharing of delicious Diwali Faral. Faral, a term used to describe a variety of festive snacks and sweets, plays a central role in Diwali celebrations.

The Significance of Diwali Faral

Diwali faral, also known as Diwali snacks or sweets, plays a crucial role in the Diwali celebration. These treats are not just a feast for the taste buds but are deeply rooted in the traditions and customs of the festival. The exchange of faral symbolizes the exchange of love and goodwill among friends and family. It is a way to spread happiness and unity during this auspicious time.

Here are a few reasons why these delectable treats hold a special place in Diwali celebrations:

1. Offering to Deities: During Diwali, families offer faral to deities as a symbol of devotion and gratitude. Many people believe that offering sweets and snacks to the gods brings blessings, happiness, and prosperity to their homes.
2. Symbol of Togetherness: Diwali is a time for family and friends to come together and celebrate. The act of preparing and sharing faral strengthens the bonds between loved ones.
3. Traditional Recipes: Diwali Faral recipes are often passed down through generations. Preparing these traditional dishes keeps the cultural heritage alive and preserves a sense of continuity and identity.
4. Sweet Beginnings: Diwali marks the beginning of a new year in some Indian communities. Consuming sweet treats is believed to symbolize a sweet start to the year and a reminder of the joys that life can bring.

Must-Try Diwali Faral Recipes

Diwali Faral is a mix of traditional sweet and Savoury snacks including Karanji, Chakli, Pohe Chiwda, shakar para, Ladoo and so on.

Besan Ladoo:

Besan (gram flour) Ladoos are a classic Diwali treat. They are made by roasting besan in ghee, adding sugar, and rolling the mixture into small round balls. You can also add chopped nuts and cardamom powder for extra flavor.

These sweet, round delicacies made from gram flour are a staple in Diwali faral. They are easy to prepare and a hit among both young and old.

Ingredients:

• Gram flour (besan)
• Ghee
• Powdered sugar
• Cardamom powder
• Chopped nuts (cashews, almonds)

Chakli:

Chakli is a crispy, spiral-shaped snack made from rice flour and various spices. It’s a perfect savory treat to balance out the sweetness of other Diwali snacks.

Chakli, a spiral-shaped crispy snack, is a Diwali favorite. Made from rice flour, gram flour, and various spices, it’s a delight to munch on during this festive season.

Ingredients:

• Rice flour
• Gram flour (besan)
• Cumin seeds
• Sesame seeds
• Red chili powder
• Ghee
• Salt

Namak Pare:

For those who prefer a savory snack, namak pare is an excellent choice. These deep-fried, diamond-shaped crackers are lightly seasoned with spices.

• Wheat Flour
• All-purpose flour
• Baking Soda
• Cumin Seeds
• Ghee

Shakar Para:

Shakar Para or Shankar Pali is a sweet crispy diamond-shaped snack from Maharashtra in India. This bite-sized diamond-shaped treat is easy to make!

Ingredients:

• All-purpose flour
• wheat flour
• ground sugar
• ghee
• pinch of salt

Karanji:

Gujia/Gujhia, also known as Gughara, Pedakiya, Karanji, Kajjikayalu, Somas, and Karjikayi, is a sweet, deep-fried dumpling that is a popular dessert in the Indian subcontinent. This delicacy is made using either Suji or Maida, which is stuffed with a mixture of sweetened khoa and dried fruits.

Ingredients:

For Outer Covering: –

• All-purpose flour
• Wheat flour
• ghee

Inner Filling: –

• grated coconut
• semolina
• poppy seeds
• ground sugar
• dry fruits

Poha Chivda:

Roasted Poha Chiwda is a delicious crispy and crunchy mixture of roasted thin poha, shallow fried nuts (peanuts, cashew nuts) and Daliya dal with the amazing tempering of curry leaves, green chilies, sesame seeds, asafetida (Hing) and spices.

Ingredients:

• Thin Poha
• Dried coconut slices
• peanuts
• Daliya dal
• turmeric
• dry fruits
• green chilies
• curry leaves
• sugar
• salt

Diwali is a time to celebrate with family, friends, and, of course, scrumptious food. Diwali faral is an integral part of this celebration, signifying the spirit of sharing and togetherness. While the recipes mentioned here are just a few examples, there is an endless variety of snacks and sweets that you can prepare and exchange during this festive season. So, this Diwali, immerse yourself in the joy of cooking and sharing these delightful treats, and make your celebration a truly memorable one.

Happy Diwali!