Holi Food Traditions

Holi, the festival of colors, welcomes the arrival of the spring season and people engage in childlike celebrations on this day. Generally, the occasion falls in the month of March. It begins with bonfire in the night on the day preceding the actual day of Holi. People sprinkle colors to others on this day. Of course, the festivities on this day include food.

Holi food traditions contain preparation of various food items in the families. Food items that are prepared of this occasion are papri, gujjia, and kanji ke vade. Different types of snack items such as dahi badas, puran poli, mathri and malpuas are served to the guests. Meat dishes such as kofta curry are also prepared on this occasion. Holi food traditions also include sandesh, payash and saffron milk. At the night of Holi, intoxicating bhang is prepared and consumed along with sweet laddoos. In some cases, bhang is consumed along with thandai and pakoras.

Foods on Holi

A variety of dishes are prepared on the occasion of Holi. After colorful celebrations, one indeed enjoys the Holi food. Preparation of these food items begins well before the actual day of Holi. Below here we provide you description about some of the special food items made on the occasion of Holi.

• Gujia This is generally a Northern India sweet and is liked by all. This small and white colored sweet is part of Holi celebrations in many parts of India.


• Puran Poli This is mainly a traditional dish of South and West India. This looks like roti but it is very much different from roti. This is chiefly made by boiling chickpea lentils.


• Papri This is a wonderful snack dish prepared on the occasion of Holi. It contains meethi leaves.

• Dahi Bhalle This is a very popular snack item on this festive occasion. The main ingredients of this snack are curd and chutnii.


• Malpua In some places in India, Holi food traditions include preparation of malpua. The main ingredient for the preparation of malpua is flour. Generally, malpua is served along with rabri.


• Saffron Syrup This cold drink has become very popular food item. Many people drink saffron syrup to get in to the mood of this festival.


• Bhang According to Hindu religion, bhang is associated with the Lord Shiva. Now, Holi celebration is not complete without bhang. This can be prepared in many ways. Generally, the buds and the leaves of cannabis are used to prepare the bhang mixture. Spices, ghee and milk are added to prepare the mixture.


• Thandai Another mixture which has also become synonymous with Holi is thandai. This is made of poppy seeds, aniseeds, rose petals, black peppercorns and the buds & leaves of cannabis. Spices, ghee and milk are added to prepare the mixture.


• Kanji Ke Vade This is another food item which has also become synonymous with Holi. This is made of urad dal. Then, this is soaked in water of rai to prepare a flavored drink. This is sour in taste.

Last Updated on 28/01/2011