A Taste of Victory: Dussehra's Culinary Traditions

Dussehra is a feast for the senses, and its culinary traditions are as rich and diverse as its rituals. Across India, the festival is marked by specific foods that symbolize celebration, the end of the nine-day Navaratri fast, and the sharing of joy. From savory snacks to delectable sweets, let's explore the gastronomic journey of Dussehra.

West India: Gujarat & Maharashtra

In Gujarat, Dussehra morning is incomplete without the iconic combination of Fafda and Jalebi.

• Jalebi & Fafda: A classic sweet and savory breakfast. Fafda are crisp, fried strips of gram flour, perfectly complemented by sweet, syrupy jalebis.
  Why: This treat is a celebratory indulgence after the Navaratri fast. It's believed that Lord Rama loved a sweet called 'Shashkuli' (similar to jalebi).
• Puran Poli (Maharashtra): A sweet flatbread stuffed with a delicious mixture of cooked lentils (chana dal) and jaggery, flavored with cardamom and nutmeg.
  Why: It's a traditional festive dish, prepared on auspicious occasions to signify happiness and prosperity.

East India: The Sweetness of Bengal

For Bengalis, Vijayadashami is a day of heartfelt greetings ('Shubho Bijoya') and exchanging sweets.

• Rasgulla & Sandesh: No Bengali celebration is complete without these iconic sweets made from fresh chhena (cottage cheese). They are offered to guests as a symbol of sweet beginnings.
• Luchi and Alur Dom: Fluffy, deep-fried bread (luchi) served with a slow-cooked spicy potato curry (alur dom) is a quintessential festive meal.
  Why: After the immersion of Goddess Durga's idol, families visit each other. These foods are central to the hospitality and social bonding that marks Bijoya Dashami.

South India: Offerings of Golu

In South India, the nine days of Navaratri are celebrated with 'Golu', a display of dolls. Special 'prasad' is made daily.

• Sundal: A savory and healthy dish made from boiled legumes like chickpeas, black-eyed peas, or peanuts, tempered with mustard seeds, curry leaves, and grated coconut.
  Why: A different type of sundal is prepared each of the nine nights as an offering (prasad). It's easy to distribute and provides protein for those fasting.
• Payasam: The South Indian version of kheer, a sweet pudding made with rice, vermicelli, or lentils, cooked in milk or coconut milk and sweetened with jaggery or sugar.
  Why: A celebratory dessert that marks the culmination of the festival on Vijayadashami.

The Navaratri Fasting Feast

The nine days leading up to Dussehra are a period of fasting (vrat) for many, with a special 'saatvik' diet.

• Foods Avoided: Grains like wheat and rice, lentils, onions, garlic, and non-vegetarian food are typically avoided.
• Popular Fasting Foods:
  • - Sabudana (Sago): Used to make khichdi, vada, and kheer.
  • - Kuttu (Buckwheat) & Singhara (Water Chestnut) Flour: Used to make puris, parathas, and halwa.
  • - Makhana (Fox Nuts): Roasted as a snack or used to make kheer.
  • - Fruits & Milk Products: Form a major part of the fasting diet.
  Why: This diet is considered light and pure ('saatvik'), helping to detoxify the body and focus the mind on spiritual pursuits during the nine holy nights.