Traditional Diwali Sweets

Indian festivals and sweets go hand in hand, and a lavish display of this aspect is seen every year during Diwali, the festival of lights. And perhaps the best thing about the dessert items of Diwali is that there are plenty of options, ensuring everyone has one that matches their taste.

In this space, we are going to discuss just that. We are here to bring you everything you need to know about the traditional Diwali sweets so that you can pick your favourite among them to treat your loved ones this festive season. In addition, we are also going to get you acquainted with one of the best Indian sweet shops in all of Dubai, where you will get the most authentic sweets.

Why is Sweet an Integral Part of Diwali?

Before we introduce and reintroduce you to some of the iconic Diwali sweets, it is best to examine why sweets are such an integral part of Diwali.

Sweets are an inseparable part of Diwali since they symbolise the sweet essence of life, the joy of sharing with loved ones, and the victory of good over evil. The tradition of gifting sweets to loved ones has both spiritual and historical significance, and it is a practice that binds families and communities together.

The act of preparing and sharing a variety of sweets is a pivotal and joyous part of Diwali, as it makes the celebration complete and more delightful.

Sweets denote good fortune, abundance, and the joy of life. They are offered to deities such as Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Ganesha, and Goddess Kali in Diwali to showcase devotion. They are an essential part of Pooja (worship and religious ceremonies) and are distributed as "Prasad" (sacred food offering) to loved ones and guests after the worship is complete.

The tradition of gifting sweets to family, friends, colleagues, and neighbours is a way to strengthen bonds, express gratitude, and seek blessings. It is a gesture of sharing love and happiness.

Not to forget, exchanging sweets with loved ones is also considered a sign of new beginnings. As Diwali often marks the start of a new year for many, gifting sweets is viewed as wishing for a sweet, happy, and prosperous year ahead.

Famous Traditional Diwali Sweets

Now that you have an idea as to why sweets are such an integral part of Diwali, let us take a look at some of the most famous and celebrated traditional Diwali Indian sweets.

Laddoo

We have to start by talking about Laddoos as they are the most iconic sweets of this festival. These are round, ball-shaped sweets that are considered a Diwali staple. They come in many variants such as Motichoor Laddoo, Coconut Laddoo, Dry Fruits Laddoo, Besan Laddoo, and Moong Dal Laddoo, among others.

Gulab Jamun

Then we have Gulab Jamuns, which are basically deep-fried dumplings made from Khoya (milk solids. They are soaked in a sweet, fragrant, warm syrup flavoured with cardamom, rosewater, or saffron and typically enjoyed hot.

Jalebi

Next up is Jalebi. These are pretzel-shaped coils of batter that are deep-fried before being soaked in a sugary syrup. After the preparation, they turn out to be bright orange, crunchy, yet chewy, sweets with a syrupy and tangy interior. They are often served hot with Rabri (a thick milk sweet) or even curd.

Soan Papdi

Soan Papdis are flaky, melt-in-your-mouth sweets with a soft and delicate texture. They are often described as a sweet little confectionery version of shredded wheat. They are made from chickpea flour, Ghee, and sugar.  Traditionally prepared by hand, chef artisans stretch and pile the mixture to prepare tender and delicate strands that are then carefully pressed into cube shapes. These are staple sweets for festivals and special occasions and are usually garnished with nuts such as pistachios.

Barfi

Barfis are a type of Indian fudge, and are typically made with condensed milk and sugar. Similar to Laddoos, they also come in many varieties, including Coconut Barfi and Kaju Barfi (made with cashews). The name Barfi is derived from the Persian word "Barf," which means snow, and indicates its white colour and soft texture.

Kaju Katli

Kaju Katli are rich, diamond-shaped Indian sweets made from cashews, Ghee, and sugar. They are generally topped with edible silver leaf. They have a fudgy and smooth texture and are a popular dessert for festivals and special occasions, including Diwali. The name Kaju Katli literally translates to "cashew slice”.

Rasmalai

Rasmalai is a legendary Indian dessert made with soft, spongy cottage cheese (Paneer or Chana) patties that are soaked in a rich, flavoured, and sweetened milk syrup. It has its origin in Eastern India and is famous for its creamy texture, delicate flavour from ingredients such as cardamom and saffron, and its cultural significance as a celebratory sweet served during Diwali.

Celebrating Diwali with MyGovindas’ Sweet Offerings

We at MyGovindas have served as a trusted source of authentic Indian sweets for years now and have established ourselves as a bona fide Indian sweet shop in Dubai. Apart from being one of the most recognised vegetarian restaurants in Dubai, we are also delightfully known for our rich palette of Indian sweets.

Our restaurants at Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT), Al Arjan, Karama, and Silicon Oasis are here to make your Diwali celebrations sweet with our dessert offerings. We also deliver sweets to your home through our online order option.

With Diwali around the corner, we have a wide range of gift boxes and sweets that you can gift to your loved ones. Be it our Chappan Bhog Thal or Kaju Khoya Mix, Diwali Premium Hamper or Corporate Gifting Box, Dry Fruit Fusion or Healthy Zero Sugar Hamper, we ensure that there is something for everyone at our shop.

Enjoy our assorted Indian Diwali sweets such as Kaju Fancy, Rose Laddoo, Gulkand Katori, Biscoff Laddoo, Anjeer Roll, Anjeer Dry Fruit Chikki, Prunes Dry Fruit Chikki, Apricots Dry Fruit Chikki, Dates Almond Laddoo, and many others this festive season and sweeten the relationship with your loved ones.

FAQs

Commonly Asked Questions about Traditional Diwali Sweets

What are the famous sweets for Diwali?

An eclectic variety of sweets, also known as Mithai, is a major part of Diwali celebrations throughout both India and across the globe. Although the specific sweets vary by region, most of them are universally popular because of easy accessibility these days. Some of the most notable ones among them are Laddoo, Gulab Jamun, Kaju Katli, Jalebi, Barfi, Rasmalai, Rasgulla, and Mysore Pak, among others.

Why do we have sweets on Diwali?

Sweets are integral to Diwali, as they symbolise prosperity, love, and happiness, while nurturing and strengthening social bonds. They are also offered to deities as offerings to show devotion. The tradition of having and gifting sweets during Diwali is rooted in ancient culinary history, as they are considered auspicious and a sacred and pious way to express gratitude, celebrate new beginnings, and spread goodwill during the festival of lights.

Which is the most famous Indian sweet on Diwali?

Although a bunch of Indian sweets are gifted and consumed on Diwali, one that stands out among the rest is undoubtedly the Laddoo. With a universal appeal, these sweet little balls never fail to bring a smile to anyone’s face.

To top it all, Laddoos come in a wide variety, giving plenty of options for people to choose from. Some of the most iconic types of Laddoos include Motichoor Ladoo (made from small fried gram flour balls known as Boondi), Besan Ladoo (made from gram flour), Rava Ladoo (made from semolina), Coconut Ladoo, Til Laddoo (made from sesame seeds), Murmura Laddoo (made from puffed rice), Moong Dal Laddoo (made from lentils), Atta Laddoo (made from wheat flour), and Dry Fruit Ladoo, among others.

Where to buy Diwali Sweets?

If you are looking for traditional Indian Diwali sweets in Dubai, then look no further than MyGovindas. With decades of experience under our belt, we follow strict health and hygiene standards while maintaining the authenticity of our sweet recipes to bring you the best Diwali sweets. Our branches are spread all over Dubai in Silicon Oasis, JLT, Karama, and Al Arjan, and we also deliver online orders to your home.

How to pack Diwali sweets?

To pack Diwali sweets, you need to choose compartmentalised and airtight containers such as metal tins or decorative boxes. You can then wrap the individual sweets in parchment paper or cellophane to prevent flavour mixing and moisture.

To further enhance the presentation, you can decorate the box with ribbon, fabric pouches, traditional motifs like Diyas and lanterns, using vibrant colours such as gold and red. For assorted sweets, try and use a box with separate compartments to keep them organised and fresh.