Stories

Across India, Vijayadashami is observed through distinct regional customs, and its food traditions are just as varied. AI-generated Image
F
Firstpost•19-10-2026, 17:03
Celebrate Dussehra With These 7 Traditional Indian Sweets and Foods
  • •In Gujarat, Dussehra morning is famously celebrated with a combination of crisp gram flour fafda and syrup-soaked jalebis.
  • •Maharashtra households often prepare Puran poli, a sweet flatbread stuffed with chana dal and jaggery, flavored with cardamom or nutmeg.
  • •Bengal marks Vijayadashami with traditional sweets like soft rasgulla and sandesh as families exchange greetings and visits.
  • •South Indian festive meals frequently feature Payasam, a traditional dessert made with rice, vermicelli, or lentils and sweetened with jaggery or sugar.
  • •Mysore Pak, a rich sweet made from gram flour, ghee, and sugar, is a fitting regional addition inspired by the royal kitchens of Mysore.
  • •North Indian traditions sometimes include a comforting meal of kaali dal made from whole black urad lentils and spices.
  • •Bengali celebrations also feature Luchi, a deep-fried flatbread made from refined flour, served alongside a spiced potato curry known as alur dom.

Key Questions Answered

In Gujarat, Dussehra morning is traditionally celebrated with crisp gram flour fafda and sugar-syrup-soaked jalebis, reflecting the state's vibrant farsan culture and marking the end of Navratri fasting.

Vijayadashami in Bengal marks the end of Durga Puja and is celebrated by exchanging greetings and visiting loved ones with traditional sweets like soft chhena rasgulla and sandesh.

Mysore Pak is a rich Karnataka sweet made from gram flour, ghee, and sugar whose origins trace back to the royal kitchens of Mysore, a city famous for its elaborate Dasara celebrations.