Diwali on a Plate: How Food Lights Up Maharashtra’s Festival of Joy
Diwali on a Plate: How Food Lights Up Maharashtra’s Festival of Joy Long before the streets glow with fairy lights, Diwali begins quietly in the kitchen. The crackle of frying oil, the sweet aroma of roasting gram flour, the rustle of aluminium boxes being cleaned for faral storage. Every Maharashtrian home hums with a rhythm that feels both festive and familiar. For many of us, Diwali isn’t just seen or heard; it’s tasted. The Season of Faral and Family Days before Diwali, the house slowly transforms. Mothers and grandmothers tie up their hair, spread old newspapers across the floor, and begin the sacred ritual of faral. The kitchen fills with the sound of the chakli press creaking, children stealing bits of raw shankarpali dough, and the smell of ghee wrapping every corner of the home. Each item made carries its own story and purpose: Chakli – The golden spirals symbolized continuity, strength, and patience. Crisp and spiced, they were a reward for steady hands and careful timing; something every mother seemed to have mastered effortlessly. Karanji – The delicate half-moon pastries, stuffed with roasted coconut and cardamom, were made with a kind of devotion. Watching them puff into golden crescents was a small miracle in itself. Shev – Fried in batches, it added a salty balance to the sweetness around. And the first few strands were always handed over to whoever wandered near the stove. Laddoos – Round, soft, and sweet, they carried warmth in every bite. Whether besan, rava, or copra, each version had one rule, made by hand, never hurried. Anarse and Shankarpali – Reserved for patient hearts. Anarse with its jaggery sheen and shankarpali with its gentle crunch were the essence of a Maharashtrian Diwali with a simple, homemade joy. Even before the first diya was lit, the faral tins sat neatly on the table, covered with embroidered napkins which denotes a promise of celebration ready to unfold. Mornings of Ritual and Aroma Narak Chaturdashi mornings had a ritual order: oil massage, abhyangasnan, new clothes, and the first meal of the season. The fragrance of poha, batata bhaji, and hot jalebis mingled with that of freshly lit incense. The elders would insist on tasting every dish, smiling knowingly as the younger ones rushed through the rituals just to get to the food. That breakfast wasn’t just about eating; it was about welcoming light, starting the new year with warmth and togetherness. The Diwali Thali: A Feast of Balance By the afternoon of Laxmi Pujan, the dining table transformed into a full thali, a true portrait of harmony. Varan-bhaat with ghee for grounding. Batatyachi bhaji and koshimbir for balance. Puran poli, sweet and soft, for prosperity and grace. Papad, pickle, and taak for joy and ease. The plate mirrored life itself containing sweetness and spice, warmth and simplicity, all existing side by side. A Taste That Travels Through Time Ask anyone who grew up in Maharashtra what Diwali tastes like, and you’ll rarely hear just one answer. It’s the first bite of puran poli after prayers, the crunch of chakli shared with cousins, or the lingering smell of roasted besan on a cool October night. Even today, when life has grown faster and kitchens quieter, those flavors call us back. Maybe you don’t make faral from scratch anymore; maybe you order it, or pick it up on your way home. But the first bite still carries that memory. The laughter, the waiting, the togetherness. The Diwali Spirit at Thali Moments At Thali Moments, this nostalgia is what we try to preserve every Diwali. In our kitchen, the process still feels personal; spices roasted in small batches, sweets shaped by hand, and thalis assembled with the same care our grandmothers showed. Because for us, cooking isn’t just about food. It’s about memory. About honoring the light that shines from shared meals and familiar tastes. Diwali is more than rows of diyas and fireworks; it’s the quiet warmth of people coming together, sharing a thali, and remembering where joy truly lives. This season, may your plate hold more than just flavour, may it hold the sweetness of old memories, the spice of laughter, and the comfort of knowing that some traditions never fade, they simply find new homes. Happy Diwali! Share On Recent Posts
The Legacy of the Maharashtrian Thali: More than Just a Meal
The Legacy of the Maharashtrian Thali: More than Just a Meal In Maharashtra, food has always been about more than merely filling the stomach. It is about the stories passed down in kitchens, the warmth of hospitality, and the unspoken bond between those who share a plate. Nowhere is this more beautifully captured than in the Maharashtrian Thali. A Maharashtrian thali is, in its truest sense a canvas of traditions, festivals, and everyday joys. Each portion on the plate carries a tale of geography and culture. From the earthy comfort of varan-bhaat (simple dal-rice) to the celebratory sweetness of puran poli, the thali mirrors the life of the people of this land. Every bite is grounded yet full of flavour. A Plate of Seasons and Celebrations The thali changes as the seasons do. In summer, aamras makes its way to the plate, cooling the body and celebrating the arrival of mangoes. During Ganesh Chaturthi, modaks sweeten the offering. Weddings see lavish spreads with multiple vegetables, farsan, pickles, and sweets—an abundant display of joy and togetherness. Each festival brings with it a new chapter in the story of the thali. The Philosophy of Balance What makes the Maharashtrian thali truly special is the balance it maintains. Spices are not just about heat; they are about harmony. A spoonful of tangy solkadhi cools the tongue after a spicy bhaaji. A crisp papad adds crunch to the softness of rice and curry. Even nutrition plays its role naturally – grains, pulses, vegetables, dairy, and sweets come together to nourish both body and soul. A Gesture of Love and Respect In Maharashtrian homes, offering a thali is an act of care. Guests are not just served; they are honoured. The host ensures the plate is never empty, a sign that love is endless and hospitality knows no bounds. In villages, it is common for neighbours to send across portions of their festive meals-extending the thali beyond the home, weaving bonds within the community. Beyond Food—A Shared Identity For Maharashtrians living far from home, the thali is often their strongest connection back to their roots. A bite of Jhunka-Bhakri or the first taste of Shrikhand can instantly bring back memories of grandparents’ kitchens, family gatherings, and festivals filled with laughter. It is food as identity, a reminder that traditions live on as long as they are cooked, shared, and savoured. The Maharashtrian thali is not just about what is on the plate—it is about what it represents. It is heritage served in stainless steel, a culture carried forward one meal at a time, and a reminder that food, at its heart, is always about people. Share On Recent Posts