Diwali Sweets

Posted on August 11, 2007 in Diwali Gifts

Diwali Sweets

Diwali, also known as Deepavali is an important festival of the Hindus but the celebration is also associated with Hinduism, Sikhism and Jainism as well. Also called the “Festival of Lights,” it represents the triumph of good over evil. The celebration is marked by the lighting of lamps and is symbolic of eternal hope for mankind. Celebrations centre on lights and lamps, chiefly conventional diyas. Fireworks are an important aspect of the festival in most parts of India.


While North Indians refer to the ‘Festival of Lights’ as Diwali, South Indians call it Deepavali. However, both the names when literally translated give similar impression, which is “row of lights”.


Diwali Sweets- Vital aspect of Diwali

It is an acknowledged fact that Diwali is a festival of lights as well sweets and mithais. In reality one can find all types of sweets at the time of Diwali, even if it means the rarest of the rare. During Diwali the markets get flooded with all types of Diwali sweets. People do their utmost for obtaining their desired Diwali sweets.


In fact the diwali sweets form a vital part of the Diwali revelry in India. During Diwali people greet their relatives and friends with an assortment of sweets that are specially prepared for the occasion. People also entertain their guests with Diwali sweets at the time of Diwali celebration.


Of all the Diwali sweets Rasgullas are extremely popular. The chief ingredients of Rasgullas are milk, sugar and rose water. Rasgullas can be purchased loose from sweetmeat shops or can be bought in the form of tinned stuff. Generally Rusgullas that are available in tin packs weigh about a kilo and it has a shelf life of 12 months, if unopened. Tinned Rusgullas are hygienically prepared and can be eaten inside the 12 months of packing. The packages are further adorned with various types of Diwali motifs so as to create the thrill connected with the festival of lights.


Gulab Jamun is also regarded as a popular Diwali sweet and is profusely consumed during the festive occasion. A standard packaged tin of Gulab Jamun contains 12 pieces of Gulab Jamun prepared from Khoya or concentrated milk solids, refined wheat flour, sugar, chenna or pressed milk curd, rose water and cardamom. Pure ghee is generally used for its preparation. The weight of twelve pieces of tinned Gulab Jamun is roughly a kilo. The packaged stuff is hygienically prepared and has a minimum shelf life of six months. Gulab Jamuns are also freely available in sweet meat shops.


Soan Papdi is another popular sweet that is extensively consumed on the occasion of Diwali. The chief ingredients of Soan Papdis include sugar, pure desi ghee, wheat flour, gram flour, cardamom, almonds, pistachio and cucumber seeds. One can also include an attractive Diwali card decorated with Diwali motifs together with this packet and can readily present them as the ideal Diwali gift to ones relatives and acquaintances.


Kaju Rolls made up of milk, cashew, sugar, ghee and pista are favoured by many because of their delicious taste. Kaju rolls can be obtained in special Diwali packs or can be purchased loose from sweetmeat shops

Comments

Leave a Reply