The much-awaited spring season is almost here, as we slowly bid goodbye to the winter chills. Once again, it’s time to experience the pleasant weather and vibrant nature with flowers blooming all around. In India, marking the onset of the spring season, Vasant Panchami is celebrated around the country with fervour.
It’s primarily a harvest festival celebrated through different rituals and customs across India’s diverse cultures. This year, Vasant Panchami falls on February 5. While the eastern states refer to it as Saraswati Puja, the southern part of India celebrates it as Sri Panchami. On the other hand, people in Uttar Pradesh worship Radha-Krishna on this day and in parts of Punjab, people fly colourful kites to mark Vasant Panchami.
But one thing that remains common across all the regional celebrations is the presence of the colour yellow. This hue plays a significant role in Vasant Panchami celebrations, as it is believed that the colour yellow signifies the arrival of the spring season, and is often associated with feelings of positivity, life and nature. In fact, a darker shade of yellow is also called basanti in Hindi. To mark the occasion, people wear yellow-coloured clothes and prepare yellow-coloured foods on this day.
No festival in India is complete without a hint of sweet on the plate, and Vasant Panchami is no different. As the festival is right around the corner, we bring you some of our favourite yellow-coloured sweet treats that are perfect to make your feast an indulgent one.
1. Boondi Ladoo
One of the most popular sweets during any festival, boondi ladoo is a mix of small besan pearls with ghee, sugar, nuts and dry fruits. This sweet and soft delight is sure to make your Vasant Panchami celebration a decadent affair.
2. Kesar Shrikhand
The creamy and flavourful Gujarati dessert has been treating our taste buds since 500 BC. According to food historians, shrikhand originated in ancient India around 400 BC, and soon became a dessert relished by all. It could safely be dubbed as one of the oldest desserts to have originated here. Prepared using hung curd, sweetened with sugar and flavoured with a tinge of cardamom and saffron, shrikhand is a rich treat you won’t be able to resist.
3. Kesar Phirni
Among all Indian desserts, the one I can never resist is phirni. It’s a rich and creamy dessert with a generous dose of crunchy nuts. The decadence of rice cooked with sugar, milk and saffron, and flavoured with cardamom and crunchy nuts like almonds and pistachios is sure to make your festivities beautiful.
4. Rasmalai
Soft, spongy and juicy balls made with chhena, dunked in creamy milk, and mixed with kesar, dry fruits and sugar results in classic rasmalai for you. Slurping already, aren’t you?
Try these yellow desserts at home this Vasant Panchami and share your experience with us.
