On Dev Diwali, Offer Til, Milk Kheer!
By A Draft Correspondent
Dev Diwali, celebrated on the auspicious occasion of Kartik Purnima, is an extraordinary festival that lights up the ghats of Varanasi and other spiritual hubs across India. Dedicated to the worship of deities, especially Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, this festival transcends its spiritual significance to embrace the rich culinary traditions of India. The foods associated with Dev Diwali are deeply intertwined with legends and traditions, reflecting the cultural diversity and spiritual essence of the festival.
According to Hindu scriptures, Kartik is a month of purity and devotion, often marked by the consumption of milk and dairy products. Legends state that the deities descend to the Ganga ghats on Dev Diwali, and offerings of milk-based sweets like kheer (sweet rice pudding) and rabri (thickened sweetened milk) please them. The creamy texture and sweetness of these dishes symbolise abundance and the nurturing aspect of divine blessings.
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Another popular offering is the combination of puri (deep-fried bread) and aloo ki sabzi (spiced potato curry), a quintessential festive meal prepared as part of the bhog to Lord Vishnu. This simple yet flavourful combination, enriched with ghee and traditional spices, signifies prosperity and the harvest season. In some regions, pumpkin-based curries are also prepared, as they are believed to be Lord Vishnu’s favourite.
The consumption of sesame-based dishes, such as til laddoos and til chikki, holds special significance during Dev Diwali. Sesame seeds are considered sacred in Hindu traditions and are believed to have the power to purify the soul. These dishes are often associated with the cleansing energy of the Ganga, which is revered during this festival for its purifying attributes. Sweets such as peda (milk fudge) and laddoo (sweet balls) are also popular offerings to the gods. According to legend, these delicacies symbolise the celestial nectar, or amrit, that the deities relished during their divine assembly. Distributing these sweets among devotees reinforces the sense of community and shared blessings that define the festival.
Dev Diwali coincides with the harvest of winter crops, making seasonal fruits and vegetables an integral part of the celebratory meals. Dishes prepared with fresh spinach, fenugreek, and radish not only celebrate the season’s bounty but also promote health during the transition to colder weather. Seasonal fruits like amla (Indian gooseberry) are consumed for their symbolic connection to longevity and rejuvenation, values cherished during this auspicious time.
Many devotees observe fasting on Kartik Purnima, breaking their fast with sattvic foods. Dishes such as sabudana khichdi (tapioca pearls cooked with peanuts), singhara halwa (water chestnut flour pudding), and makhana kheer (lotus seed pudding) are common choices, emphasising the purity and spiritual focus of the day. These foods, light yet nourishing, ensure that devotees maintain their energy while adhering to traditional dietary practices.
The festival also highlights the communal aspect of food, as families and neighbours come together to prepare elaborate meals. Delicacies like dal bati churma, gujiyas, and festive snacks such as chakli and namakpare are made in large quantities and shared with loved ones. This collective effort in preparing and distributing food reflects the joy and devotion that characterise Dev Diwali.
The foods of Dev Diwali are more than just culinary delights; they are steeped in legends, traditions, and spiritual values. Each dish tells a story of devotion, purity, and gratitude, embodying the very essence of the festival. By partaking in these traditional foods, devotees not only honour the divine but also forge a deeper connection with their heritage and community. Dev Diwali thus becomes a celebration that nourishes not just the body but also the soul, making it a feast of both spiritual and cultural significance.
