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Predominantly observed in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and some parts of Nepal, Chhath Puja is celebrated on the sixth day after Diwali in the Hindu month of Kartik. The four-day long festival involves rigorous rituals that include fasting, and taking dips in water bodies at sunrise and sunset. Devotees worship the sun god for well-being, prosperity and the longevity of family members – meticulously following rituals for purification, making edible offerings known as prasad as well as standing in water while offering prayers. Although not traditional or region specific, making a sweet dish to mark the auspicious occasion and distributing it to loved ones, is a crucial aspect of marking the festivities.
Kashi Halwa
Similar in texture to the gajar ka halwa, the kashi halwa is made with kashi phal or ash gourd, and is a popular delicacy to make during festivals and auspicious occasions. Made by slow-cooking grated ash gourd with jaggery, ghee and cashew nuts, the halwa is best when offered and served warm, with a sprinkle of cardamom powder for extra flavour.
Temple Style Sweet Pongal
Although markedly South Indian, the sweet pongal is a dish that checks all the right boxes that qualify it to be a solid option for prasad or religious offerings. Rice and lentils cooked to a mush and mixed with jaggery syrup and dry fruits – the sweet pongal is a warming and comforting preparation that does not require too much effort or laboriousness in the kitchen.
Besan Halwa
Image Credits: KFoods
While the essence of most halwa preparations remain the same – cooking a key ingredient in ghee until it changes in texture and aroma, before it is sweetened and garnished with nuts and dry fruits; the buttery and fluffy besan halwa beats just about any other sweet treat because of how decadent it is. The technique-heavy dessert needs a close eye and an active hand constantly stirring the mixture, until it starts to come off the edges and turn into a rich and ghee-laden sweet treat.
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Dates Kheer
‘Tis the season for nolen gur and all things dates! Use date palm jaggery or mushy dates to add to the classic Indian rice pudding or kheer, as we all know it. The mild caramel flavours from the dates are an excellent pairing with the milk sweet, while also lending its brown tone to the dessert that tastes like a caramel pudding. What’s also most fascinating about this preparation is that it is a zero sugar recipe, making it ideal for diabetics to consume.
Panchamrit
As the name suggests, panchamrit – or a delicacy made with five ingredients – namely milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee and sugar is a popular offering for most auspicious occasions in India. Depending on the region, a couple of ingredients may vary – with the addition of bananas and pitted dates in some. Belived to have purifying properties as well as all-nourishing, the panchamrit is the ideal prasad to distribute to those who observe fasting on the day.
Badam Ladoo
A nutty-grainy combination of almond powder, desiccated coconut and sugar – the badam ladoo is a nutrient-dense preparation that is packed with good fats and plenty of vitamins. Known to be prepared for special festivals like Diwali and Sankranti, these ladoos also double up as a mid-day snack for anyone craving sugar or experiencing hunger pangs.
