Diwali (Deepavali) is a Festival of Lights. The significance of Diwali is that, it removes the darkness and brings light to the life. This auspicious occasion comes on the Tamil month Ippasi (late October or early November) on Krishnapakshi chaturthi. This year(2016) Diwali is on 27th Oct’19.
Significance of Diwali
This festival is celebrated to enjoy the happy moments of vanquishing of the demon Narakasura by Lord Krishna, the triumph of good over Evil!. Diwali is a festival where people from all age groups participate. They give expression to their happiness by lighting earthen ‘diyas‘ (lamps), decorating the houses, bursting firecrackers and inviting near and dear ones to their households.
On Diwali day, early in the morning, elderly people will put kolam and will keep sweets, snacks, crackers, new dresses, vetrilai paaku and coconut for neivehdyam. The Hindus usually awake early in the morning of deepavali around 3 a.m and the first ritual will be having an oil bath, which is an important feature of Diwali. In some families Diwali Legium will be offered to every individual which will make your stomach ready for the marathon between your hand and mouth on diwali. Then the new cloths will be offered to the every individual by the elderly people. Most of the ladies would be clad in silk saris or Punjabi suits of various bright shades. Hindus would also pay their respects to the elderly and most families would go to the temple. The houses would be decorated with oil lamps and children will play with firecrackers to celebrate the festival.
On this day, we prepare sweets and snacks and offer the same to friends, neighbors and relatives. You can try some of the recipes mentioned below.
How do we Celebrate Diwali ?
I am just describing here how we celebrate Diwali. More or less all the Tamil Brahmins celebrate Diwali in this way only. The night before diwali we put a maakkolam in the Pooja room and keep the new dresses of all the family members on the wooden plank. Also we put small amount of Turmeric on one corner of the dress. The next day (Diwali day) I used to wake up at around 3 AM in the morning and prepare the boiling water for the bath of all the family members. We keep one bowl of boiling water, some amount of oil(Nallennai) in a bowl, some sweets and snacks which we prepared for Diwali, some crackers along with the new dresses and also light the Vilakku (Deepam). Then i used to wake up the family members one by one. Every individual has to sit east side facing on the wooden plank which is already decorated by maakkolam (Rangoli using rice flour) in the last day. The I apply the oil(Nallaennai) in his/her head. Once the oil is applied then he/she is supposed to take a bath in the hot water. The boiling water has to be prepared in advance. This ritual bath is called “Ganga Snanam“.
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After the bath the individual has to come to the Pooja room where all the new dresses were kept. Usually the elderly one of the house (in my home, my husband), will give the new dresses to the individual. He / She supposed to ask for blessing from the god and to the eldest member of the house and to get their new dresses from him. He / She wore the new dresses and then they can go to play with crackers. Once every individual of the family has taken the “Ganga snanam” all wore the new dresses and they go to the temple to offer prayers. Going to the temple with all the family members in their new dresses is the key part of Diwali. The younger ones are enjoying with the fire works, I will be busy preparing the breakfast. We offer the sweets and snacks to the friends and neighbors and also greet each other.
Recipes of some common Sweets for Diwali:
Traditional Sweets Recipes:
Adhirasam
Adhirasam is a traditional sweet dish which will be done for most of the festivals. A Very delicious sweet made with rice flour and jaggery. For most of the auspicious occasions and festivals, adhirasam is one of the important sweet prepared.
Diwali Okkarai | Ukkarai is a traditional sweet made specially on diwali festival. This is a popular sweet from Tirunelveli district. This special sweet is made with Chana Dal (Kadala Paruppu) and jaggery as the main ingredients.
Mysore Pak is a very popular sweet in South India usually prepared for fesitvals and special occassions. This soft and tasty mysore pak is made using besan / gram flour, sugar and ghee.
Boondi Ladoo is a popular traditional Indian sweet made using gram flour, sugar and ghee. The ladoos are made with very small sized boondi that has been soaked in sugar syrup. This sugar infused boondi are formed into Ladoo (balls). One of the tasty and easy to make traditional sweet for any festival or important events
Maladu is one of the easiest, quickest recipe which can be made for any occassions. Interestingly its 'no-cook' recipe. All we need is to grind the roasted gram dhal, mix with sugar and ghee and make the laddo (balls). It's packed with nutrition and it's simply delicious.
Badusha, an Indian version of deep fried doughnuts coated with sugar syrup. Perfect dessert for Diwali or any occasions. Badusha is similar to a glazed doughnut in terms of ingredients, but differs in texture and taste. A Very traditional and popular South Indian Sweet!
Rava Ladoo is a traditional sweet bite made using Semolina (Rava / Sooji), Sugar and Ghee. It's one of the easy to make sweet which is soft and melts in the mouth. It can be made with or without coconut.
Mohan Laadoo, a traditional sweet made for Diwali and many occasions. Sooji based dough is rolled into small puri,deep fried and grind into powder which are then rolled into ladoo with help of ghee.
Besan Ladoo is a very popular ladoo variety with gram flour, powdered sugar and ghee. A very tasty and flavorful ladoo to share with friends and family!
Ragi Ladoo | Finger Millet and Walnut Jaggery Laddu
Ragi (Finger Millet / Kezhvaragu) is a nutritious millet variety. Even for babies from 6 months its safe to give Ragi. Such a healthy millet. This Ragi ladoo is a very delectable and easy to make ladoo variety with ragi, jaggery, roasted gram and handful of walnuts. A healthy as well as nutritious ladoo variety!
Pasi Paruppu Ladoo | Moong Dal Ladoo | Nei Urundai
Moong dal ladoo, a very healthy and nutritious ladoo made with protein rich moong dal along with iron rich jaggery. Like Maladu, rava ladoo, this ladoo is very easy to make. Roasted moong dal is ground along with jaggery to powder and then warm ghee is added to the powdered moong+jaggery mixture which is then shaped to ladoos.
Motichoor Ladoo is an exotic dessert / sweet served during many occassions . From Ganesh Pooja to Diwali, this is one of the very common sweet which we prepare to further sweeten the occasions.
Dates and Nuts Laddu is a very healthy and nutritious ladoo variety we can make often. This Dates Ladoo is rich in iron and other healthy nutrients. No sugar or any sweetners used.
Moong Dal Halwa is a rich delicious dessert made with split yellow lentils (moong dal), sugar and ghee. This homemade version is reminiscent of what you’d find in India, but made quick and easy.
Carrot Halwa in Instant Pot makes the halwa process quick and easy without much work to hands. Carrot halwa is a perfect dessert for any parties or events. Carrot halwa with Vanilla icecream is a great combo!
Godhumai Halwa (Samba Wheat Halwa) is a very popular halwa variety from Tirunelveli district. Milk from the soaked samba wheat is extracted and that wheat milk is concocted with sugar and ghee to get ghee-dripping, soft and yummy halwa!
Badam Halwa, one of the richest halwa variety ever. For Diwali and other special occasions, this Badam halwa is a perfect treat for our family and friends.
Kasi Halwa is a popular Halwa in Tamil Nadu made using white pumpkin (ash gourd). It's commonly served in Tamil Brahmin marriages. It's glossy, ghee dripping texture and very colorful (due to the color being added). Kasi Halwa is easy to prepare and very tasty.
Asoka Halwa is a popular dessert in Thiruvaiyaru, Tanjore District hence it's also called 'Thiruvaiyaru Halwa'. It's made using Moong Dal and wheat flour. This Halwa is served in most of the weddings in Tanjore District.
Pineapple Kesari Recipe is one of the easy and conventional kesari variety for any occasions. Sooji kesari is enriched with the rich flavor of pineapple. A very tempting Indian dessert which is very easy to make
a traditional Indian sweet that consists of cottage cheese-like balls in a sweet creamy and beautifully spiced sauce infused with the flavors of cardamom and saffron, and topped with chopped pistachios.
Dharwad Peda, a rich milk dessert popular in the state of Karnataka. Traditionally its made with milk and sugar. We can make it quickly using store bought paneer.
Kesar Doodh Peda a delicious dessert made with condensed milk, milk powder. This is an instant version so quick and easy to make. A perfect sweet for special occasions and festivals like Diwali.
Milk Burfi with Milk Powder is an easy to make quick burfi variety with the richness of milk. Milk powder quickens the process of making burfi. It is a rich and delicious burfi to share with friends and family!
Kesar Doodh Peda a delicious dessert made with condensed milk, milk powder. This is an instant version so quick and easy to make. A perfect sweet for special occasions and festivals like Diwali.
a traditional Indian sweet that consists of cottage cheese-like balls in a sweet creamy and beautifully spiced sauce infused with the flavors of cardamom and saffron, and topped with chopped pistachios.
Therattipal is one of the traditional milk sweet we prepare for festivals and other occasions. Therattipal is also referred popularly as Pal Khova. This version of therattipal is made with jaggery instead of sugar.
Shahi Tukda is a popular, delicious and simple sweet dish made using bread, milk and nuts.Ghee fried bread soaked in evaporated milk (Rabri) and garnished with nuts and saffron is a wonderful and rich dessert.
Coconut Burfi is a traditional sweet which is very easy to make with very few ingredients and that too under 20 minutes. Traditionally it's prepared with Sugar instead of Jaggery.
Badam burfi is delicious and healthy sweet we generally make during Diwali. A perfect sweet to share with family, friends & relatives during Diwali. This Badam Burfi melts in our mouth and make us to crave for more!
Badam Kaju burfi, a delectable burfi with the combined flavors of almonds and cashews. a Nut rich burfi with a perfect sweet and soft crunch! A perfect dessert or sweet for Diwali and other occasions.
Dates and Nuts Roll is a delicious Indian recipe served as a Dessert. This dates and nuts roll is a very healthy,easy to make, diabetic friendly, Indian sweet. It is popularly known as Khajoor katri (In Hindi) among North India.
Seven Cups Cake is a traditional Diwali Sweet most of us make. The name itself explains that there are 7 cups of ingredients in this recipe. We get lots of burfi pieces which can be easily shared and distributed with friends and family. An easy to make sweet and yummy too!
Kaju Pista rolls, a popular Indian dessert made with cashews, Pistachios and sugar. Cashew rolls have pista filling inside making this dessert ultimate treat to our taste buds!
Kaju Pista rolls, a popular Indian dessert made with cashews, Pistachios and sugar. Cashew rolls have pista filling inside making this dessert ultimate treat to our taste buds!
Kaju Katli, a very popular Indian sweet and its a very expensive sweet too. Kaju Katli is a fudge made with powdered Cashew. We can make perfect Kaju Katli at home very easily.
Krishna Sweets style Mysorepak Recipe| Diwali Special Mysorepak Sweet
Krishna Sweets Mysore Pak is one of the most popular Sweet Variety in Tamil Nadu. The Mysore Pak literally melts in mouth. The richness of ghee makes this so delicious. We can easily make this delicious Mysore Pak at home.
Mysore Pak is a very popular sweet in South India usually prepared for fesitvals and special occassions. This soft and tasty mysore pak is made using besan / gram flour, sugar and ghee.
Mullu Thenguzhal Recipe | Mullu Muruku Recipe | Magizhampoo Murukku Recipe, very easy to make murukku for Diwali. This is the conventional method of making Mullu Murukku with rice and dals. We can use store-bought flours and the ratio is same.
Cashew Thenkuzhal, is one of the most delicious murukku variety with the richness of cashews. A nice crispy murukku with loaded cashew and ghee flavor. Quick ,easy to make Murukku!
Aval Murukku, a crunchy, evening snack and a perfect tea-time munch! Its a very easy to make murukku with rice flour, poha and roasted gram flour. Quick to make murukku without any hassle.
Ring murkku also called as "chegodilu" is a popular snack from Andhra cuisine. An easy to make crisp and tasty snack made with rice flour and spices. Learn here how to make this Ring murkku with step by step pictures , instructions and video.
Pepper Murukku, a spicy and crunchy murukku which is very easy to make. Though its crispy, it will melt in mouth and you feel the spice of the pepper. Its a perfect tea time snack!
Bread Murukku, is a quick and easy snack using bread and besan flour. An instant murukku variety to surprise your family. Bread murruku with a hot tea or coffee, a wonderful combination for a nice evening.
The taste of butter murukku is yummy and a bite of it makes us to have more. It is as simple to make it in home too. With [/timer]the store bought rice flour, we can make this crispy snack in just few minutes.
Puzhungal arisi Kai Murukku is a Crunchy and tasty murukku with twist and twirl made of parboiled rice is one the most popular snack in Nellai district.
Cocout Milk Murukku is one of the common snack made during Diwali. This is prepared using Rice flour, Moong dal flour, cocout milk and few other spices. This crispy murukku will have nice flavor of coconut milk and very tasty. It's very easy to make and doesn't require any grinding as we usually do for other Murukku varities.
Discover the crispy charm of Thenkuzhal, a beloved South Indian snack. Dive into its history, ingredients, and learn how to craft these intricate delights in your own kitchen. Elevate your culinary skills and savor the traditional flavors of Thenkuzhal today
Aval mixture, an easy to make perfect snack for any evening or a perfect snack for Diwali. Unlike conventional mixture, this poha chivda is quick and easy to make.
Ribbon Pakoda is a famous South Indian snack usually prepared during Diwali and other festivals. It's made using Rice Flour, Channa dal & Moong dal flours.
Ribbon Pakoda also popularly referred as Nada is a very common and conventional snack in TamilNadu. This version of making Ribbon murukku is very quick and easy with all store bought flours and readily available ingredients in our pantry. We can make it as an evening snack or we can make for festivals like Diwali.
Hi Gowri, you can refer the following link https://www.subbuskitchen.com/2009/12/carrot-halwa.html. In the last step, when the mixture starts to roll like a ball and does not stick on the sides of the pan, we are removing. Instead, we need to keep stirring for another 5 minutes, till it becomes thicker and then we can pour it on a greased plate and cut into pieces.
Dear Subbulakshmi madam, I tried the omapodi and it was really nice. thanks for the recipe. I would like to make ukkarai for diwali. Can you please give the recipe? Thanks. Sugandhi
Mami ganga snanam aacha? 🙂 Wishing you and your family a wonderful Diwali. May the blessings of Lord Krishna always be with you. Mami do you have Diwali marundhu/lehiyam recipe? By the way, the new photos look sooper!
Hi madam.. very nice info.. I have a doubt that's been long standing in my mind. We usually say that we shouldn't take oil bath on amavasai. . But diwali mostly falls on amavasai.. so in that case , should we treat it as an exception. Because oil bath is the most important custom.
Hi Pappu, sorry for not responding to your earlier message. I missed to respond. Gangasnanam has to be done before sunrise thats the reason we have a tradition to take a bath around 3am to 4 am in the morning. After sunrise only ammavasai will start so we can surely take head bath.
Thank you so much Mami for your clear instructions – tried the oats laddu and the ragi laddu – they came out so well and yummy – wanted to do something different from the usual routine – Wish you and your family a very Happy Deepavali and New Year
Good day very nice blog!I will bookmark your blog and take the feeds also? I’m satisfied to find numerous useful information here in the publish, thanks for sharing. Diwali images , Diwali wishes
nice post! reading it I remembered the last year Diwali festival when my mother and myself cooked a variety of dishes and drew rangoli designs and performed lakshmi puja in the evening. Really I love the festival Diwali !
this helps me to cook more recipes which my family enjoys
thank u
thank u very much for very good and informative receipes
thanks a lot i am trying many because of you
Wow.. Very interesting Recipees… 🙂 Thabk u.
thanks u.. can u share recipe for thattai pls
Hi, the Thattai recipe link is available in https://www.subbuskitchen.com/2010/08/thattai.html
Hi
All receipies are very nice and mouthwatering. could you please write the mixturefor deepavali to follow others from you. thanks and regards
Dear Subbulakshmi,
Wish you and your family a very very happy and sweet deepavali. all your recipies are very nice to follow to all categories.
thanks
RS.Lakshmi
Hi mammi can you give the tips to make carrot cake & beetroot cake
Hi Gowri, you can refer the following link https://www.subbuskitchen.com/2009/12/carrot-halwa.html. In the last step, when the mixture starts to roll like a ball and does not stick on the sides of the pan, we are removing. Instead, we need to keep stirring for another 5 minutes, till it becomes thicker and then we can pour it on a greased plate and cut into pieces.
Dear Subbulakshmi madam,
I tried the omapodi and it was really nice. thanks for the recipe. I would like to make ukkarai for diwali. Can you please give the recipe?
Thanks.
Sugandhi
hello, I know i saw the recipe for Thirunelveli halwa. But I cant find it on the site. Can you please mami? thanks
Mami ganga snanam aacha? 🙂 Wishing you and your family a wonderful Diwali. May the blessings of Lord Krishna always be with you. Mami do you have Diwali marundhu/lehiyam recipe? By the way, the new photos look sooper!
Hi madam.. very nice info.. I have a doubt that's been long standing in my mind. We usually say that we shouldn't take oil bath on amavasai. . But diwali mostly falls on amavasai.. so in that case , should we treat it as an exception. Because oil bath is the most important custom.
Madam can u pls update me with this info.. should we take hair bath on diwali even if it's amavasai
Hi Pappu, sorry for not responding to your earlier message. I missed to respond. Gangasnanam has to be done before sunrise thats the reason we have a tradition to take a bath around 3am to 4 am in the morning. After sunrise only ammavasai will start so we can surely take head bath.
You have provided a nice collection of Deepavali greetings. Happy diwali to you and your family pictures of diwali in India
Dear Sir/Madam
This website has malaware attached to it. Everytime i try to come my scanner alerts me. Please do check on it
Thanks
Shubha
Thank you so much Mami for your clear instructions – tried the oats laddu and the ragi laddu – they came out so well and yummy – wanted to do something different from the usual routine –
Wish you and your family a very Happy Deepavali and New Year
Amazing website, with lots of good useful recipes. Thank you so much!!
Good day very nice blog!I will bookmark your blog and take the feeds also? I’m satisfied to find numerous useful information here in the publish, thanks for sharing. Diwali images , Diwali wishes
nice post! reading it I remembered the last year Diwali festival when my mother and myself cooked a variety of dishes and drew rangoli designs and performed lakshmi puja in the evening. Really I love the festival Diwali !
Can you please post the recipe for Diwali chiyalam made from moong dal