Diwali - Deepavali, The festival of Lamps: A Host of Recipes

It’s nearly Diwali! And it is time to think about what you might make during this Auspicious time.

Deepavali (Diwali) – The Festival of Lamps

Deepavali (Diwali or Divali) is India’s best-known festival. It is a day of Hindu solidarity, when all Hindus gather in love and trust. Deepa means lamp, and Deepavali (row of lamps) is observed by lighting rows of oil lamps and exchanging greeting cards, clothing and other gifts. Family bonds are strengthened and forgiveness sought. For many, Diwali marks the beginning of the new year. Joyous festivities and parties abound throughout the 5 days of Diwali.

In Hindu culture, light is a powerful metaphor for knowledge and consciousness. It is a reminder of the preciousness of education, self-inquiry and improvement, which bring harmony to the individual, the community and between communities. By honoring light, we affirm the fact that from knowing arises respect for and acceptance of others. Lighting lamps reminds Hindus to keep on the right path, to dispel darkness from their hearts and minds, and to embrace knowledge and goodness.

What do Hindus do for Diwali?

Diwali is celebrated by Hindus worldwide to commemorate the triumph of good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, hope over despair. Oil-wick lamps are lit in every household, along with colorful strings of electric lights, causing the home, village and community to sparkle with dancing flames. The festival falls on the day before the new moon in the month of Ashwin (October/ November). Communities spare nothing in celebration. Lavish spreads of sweets and treats reflect unfettered partying.

Diwali lehyam—a potent concoction made with ginger, pepper, ghee and more—is provided to help gourmands digest the sumptuous feast. Families reach out to each other with gifts of sweets, dried fruit and crunchy, salty treats. Everyone wears colorful new clothing and many even new jewelry. Girls and women decorate their hands with henna designs.

Diwali Celebrations

• Read more about Diwali as well as cook a wonderful Carrot Halwa here (a downloadable 1 page pdf that can also be used as a media release.)
• What is Diwali
• Diwali in Tamil Nadu

What foods are offered?

Anything sweet plays an important role during Diwali.

Food for Diwali

• Diwali Sweets, a list
• Adhirasam
• Bengali Rice Kheer
• 7 Cup Burfi
• Boorelu
• Ariselu ~ Athirasallu
• Coconut Barfi
• Mysore Pak
• Coconut Burfi
• Mohan Thal
• Besan Ladoo
• Baklava Rolls
• Besan Para
• Cholafali Recipe ~ Gujarati Farsan Diwali Special
• Shakkar Para
• Masala Peanuts
• Kaja ~ Andhra sweet
• Kajjikayalu ~ Karjikayalu
• Kakinada Kaja
• Kudaalu
• Kessari Phirni (Saffron Flavoured Creamy Rice)
• Lavang Latika
• Mixed Dal Muruku
• Nippattlu
• Omapodi / Sev
• Pappulu Kajjikayalu ~ Pappulu Karjikayalu
• Rava Laddoo
• Rice Flour Laddu – Diwali Special
• Rava Laddu
• Salt Diamonds
• South Indian Chivda / Mixture
• Thenkuzhal Muruku
• Mysore Pak | How to make Mysore Pak with Step by Step pictures
• Badusha ~ How to make Badhusha
• Rice Flour Laddos
• Sunflower Seed Laddu
• Moong Dal Laddu | How to make Pesara Pappu Ladoo | Diwali Sweets
• Homemade Oma Podi /Sev 
• A compendium of Diwali food
• Diwali Sweets and Snacks
• 100 Diwali Sweets (PDF download)
• A million (almost! ) Diwali Recipes | Deepavali Recipes – Sweets and Savories

Read some more:

• The Magic of Hindu Festivals
• Keep checking here – the list will be updated during Diwali so check for new recipes

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More Cooking, Food and Recipes:

Related articles from around the Web

• Memoirs of a Diwali evening – From glittering gold to drunken fervor. (indiatemple.blogspot.com)
• Besan Burfi On Diwali / Deepavali ~ An offering to Lakshmi Devi (curryinkadai.blogspot.com)
• Diwali: Welcoming Ram to the Home of our Hearts, by Aparna Garg (hinduyuva.org)
• Carrot Payasa (Carrot Pudding/Kheer/Payasam) (iyengarskitchen.blogspot.com)