Dhanteras is the first day of Diwali, which is celebrated with great zest in every part of India. It is the start of the five-day festival of lights. On this pious day, people pray for prosperity, health, and wealth and cook traditional dishes believed to be blessed with good fortune and prosperity.
However, the festival of Diwali is often associated with Kheel and Batashe which happens to be nothing but puffed rice and round sugar candies. Together they constitute a simple yet symbolic snacking food that's generally offered to deities particularly Lord Dhanvantari, the god of Ayurveda, seeking blessing for good health and prosperity. This combination carries much cultural significance. Puffed rice is said to symbolize purity as well as simplicity, and Batasha is said to represent sweetness with auspiciousness. Small earthen pots filled Kheel Batasha are worshipped in Dhanteras and then divided among families as marks of a festivity session.
Here's a review of 4 traditional delicacies prepared for Dhanteras to venerate the festival and reap prosperity.
Chana Dal Halwa
Chana Dal Halwa is mainly prepared on Dhanteras as an offering to seek blessings for prosperity. It has a thick, creamy texture due to the liquid being reduced and is quite nutty, mildly sweet in flavor, and fragrant because of cardamom powder and strands of saffron used along with very crunchy nuts like almonds and cashews.
Halwa is the first sweet for the festival season. Ghee and nuts being auspicious ingredients, signifying sweetness and abundance. It is traditionally shared between family members to bring warmth and togetherness to the home, celebrating the blessings of wealth and health.
Samosas
While samosas are a staple snack all over India, they take a different meaning during Diwali. For many families, Dhanteras marks the beginning of a ritual: preparing and distributing samosas. The crunchy, flavorful pastry, packed with spiced potatoes and peas, symbolizes abundance and joy in togetherness as it is usually prepared in large quantities and distributed among family, friends, and neighbors.
The ingredients in samosas—potatoes, spices, and wheat flour—are considered essential staples, symbolizing nourishment and bounty. On Dhanteras, many households prepare them fresh, as it is believed that eating fried foods and indulging in rich snacks adds to the joy and prosperity of the celebration.
Anarsa
Anarsa is a Maharashtrian and North Indian delicacy made from rice flour, jaggery, and poppy seeds. Preparing and sharing this traditional sweet was especially made during Diwali, commencing from Dhanteras. Anarsa preparation requires a very long time as rice is soaked and then dried before powdering, which is then mixed with jaggery. The dough is then shaped into small round balls and coated with poppy seeds and deep fry.
Anarsa is often considered an emblem of prosperity because it uses copious jaggery and ghee. This is the thought that such ingredients could add warmth and positivity in a home; it reflects the sweetness and richness associated with the festive season.
Dhanteras Laddu (Besan Laddu)
Besan laddu is quite popular, especially during Diwali; it has a tasty melt-in-your-mouth feel to it and a strong nutty flavor. Garnished with chopped nuts and occasionally a hint of saffron, this is indeed a quite rich and flavorful treat which has strong prominence in festival offerings.
The use of gram flour, sugar, and ghee is believed to attract prosperity because these ingredients are symbols of warmth, sweetness, and abundance. Preparing Besan Laddu on Dhanteras is a way of honoring the season's harvest and seeking blessings for wealth and well-being. Traditionally, these laddus are shared with loved ones and offered to deities, marking the beginning of a prosperous year.
(Image courtesy: Canva)
However, the festival of Diwali is often associated with Kheel and Batashe which happens to be nothing but puffed rice and round sugar candies. Together they constitute a simple yet symbolic snacking food that's generally offered to deities particularly Lord Dhanvantari, the god of Ayurveda, seeking blessing for good health and prosperity. This combination carries much cultural significance. Puffed rice is said to symbolize purity as well as simplicity, and Batasha is said to represent sweetness with auspiciousness. Small earthen pots filled Kheel Batasha are worshipped in Dhanteras and then divided among families as marks of a festivity session.
Here's a review of 4 traditional delicacies prepared for Dhanteras to venerate the festival and reap prosperity.
Chana Dal Halwa
Chana Dal Halwa is mainly prepared on Dhanteras as an offering to seek blessings for prosperity. It has a thick, creamy texture due to the liquid being reduced and is quite nutty, mildly sweet in flavor, and fragrant because of cardamom powder and strands of saffron used along with very crunchy nuts like almonds and cashews.
Halwa is the first sweet for the festival season. Ghee and nuts being auspicious ingredients, signifying sweetness and abundance. It is traditionally shared between family members to bring warmth and togetherness to the home, celebrating the blessings of wealth and health.
Samosas
While samosas are a staple snack all over India, they take a different meaning during Diwali. For many families, Dhanteras marks the beginning of a ritual: preparing and distributing samosas. The crunchy, flavorful pastry, packed with spiced potatoes and peas, symbolizes abundance and joy in togetherness as it is usually prepared in large quantities and distributed among family, friends, and neighbors.
The ingredients in samosas—potatoes, spices, and wheat flour—are considered essential staples, symbolizing nourishment and bounty. On Dhanteras, many households prepare them fresh, as it is believed that eating fried foods and indulging in rich snacks adds to the joy and prosperity of the celebration.
Anarsa
Anarsa is a Maharashtrian and North Indian delicacy made from rice flour, jaggery, and poppy seeds. Preparing and sharing this traditional sweet was especially made during Diwali, commencing from Dhanteras. Anarsa preparation requires a very long time as rice is soaked and then dried before powdering, which is then mixed with jaggery. The dough is then shaped into small round balls and coated with poppy seeds and deep fry.
Anarsa is often considered an emblem of prosperity because it uses copious jaggery and ghee. This is the thought that such ingredients could add warmth and positivity in a home; it reflects the sweetness and richness associated with the festive season.
Dhanteras Laddu (Besan Laddu)
Besan laddu is quite popular, especially during Diwali; it has a tasty melt-in-your-mouth feel to it and a strong nutty flavor. Garnished with chopped nuts and occasionally a hint of saffron, this is indeed a quite rich and flavorful treat which has strong prominence in festival offerings.
The use of gram flour, sugar, and ghee is believed to attract prosperity because these ingredients are symbols of warmth, sweetness, and abundance. Preparing Besan Laddu on Dhanteras is a way of honoring the season's harvest and seeking blessings for wealth and well-being. Traditionally, these laddus are shared with loved ones and offered to deities, marking the beginning of a prosperous year.
(Image courtesy: Canva)
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