Diwali is one of the biggest festival of Hindus, celebrated with great enthusiasm and happiness in India and by Indians all over the world. The festival is celebrated for five continuous days, where the third day is celebrated as the main Diwali festival or ‘Festival of lights’.

Different colorful varieties of fireworks are always associated with this festival. On this auspicious day, people light up diyas and candles all around their house. They perform Laxmi Puja in the evening and seek divine blessings of Goddess of Wealth. The festival of Diwali is never complete without exchange of gifts. People send for diwali to their near and dear ones.

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Oh yes and how can I forget the delicious diwali snacks. I try to make atleast 10 diwali snacks every year which comprises of sweet as well as savory snacks. You can find them all in my Diwali Recipes Archives

This year I made Kaju Katli for Diwali. I thought it would be really difficult to make it but to my surprise it wasn’t. It just needs proper measurements and patience 🙂

Kaju katli (literally “cashew slice”), also known as kaju Katari or kaju barfi, is an Indian dessert similar to a barfi. This is considered as a must have sweet during Diwali all over the world

Ingredients

250 grams Cashew Nuts (powdered and sieved)

– 1 Cup Sugar

– 1 Cup Water

– Cardamom Powder

– Silver Leaves (beaten silver sheets)

Method

In a Sauce Pan add Cup of water on medium heat

Add 1 Cup of Sugar

Let the Sugar Syrup be of thin consistency

Add a pinch of cardamom powder

Add in ground Cashew Nuts (Cashew Nuts Powder(sieved)

Keep stirring to form a thick paste

Transfer Cashew Paste into a greased platter

Spread the Dough and Let it cool for 10 minutes

Then Knead the Dough

Grease the Parchment paper

Transfer the Dough on the Parchment Paper

Roll the Dough to form a Thin Layer

Refrigerate for 10 minutes

To make it Presentable Cut the Edges

Apply Food Grade Beaten Silver Sheets (silver leaves) for Presentation

Cut into Desired Shape

Serve the Cashew Burfi straight away or Keep it an air tight Container

Recipe source

http://devilishlydeliciousfood.com/

Hindus interpret the Diwali story based upon where they live:

In North India they celebrate the story of King Rama’s return to Ayodhya after he defeated Ravana by lighting rows of clay lamps.

South India celebrates it as the day that Lord Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura.

In western India the festival marks the day that Lord Vishnu, the Preserver (one of the main gods of the Hindu trinity) sent the demon King Bali to rule the nether world.

In this blog post I have penned down my this years Diwali Celebrations

On Dhanteras or also known as Dhantrayodashi, Lakhsmi – the Goddess of wealth – is worshiped to provide prosperity and well being. It is also the day for celebrating wealth, as the word ‘Dhan’ literally means wealth and ‘Tera’ comes from the date 13th.

In the evening, the clay lamp is lit and Dhan-Lakshmi is welcomed into the house. Alpana or Rangoli designs are drawn on pathways including the goddess’ footprints to mark the arrival of Lakshmi. Aartis or devotional hymns are sung eulogizing Goddess Lakshmi and sweets and fruits are offered to her.

Many wear new clothes and wear jewelry as they light the first lamp of Diwali while some engage in a game of gambling.

According to Hindu legend, when devas and asuras were churning the ocean for ‘amrit’ – the nectar of immortality – Dhanvantri emerged from the ocean with the jar of amrit on this day.

For those doing business, Dhanteras is the day when new account books are bought and kept ready for the Lakshmi puja on Diwali.

Interestingly, a girl child born on Dhanteras day is considered as the arrival of Goddess Lakshmi into the house and is considered lucky by certain communities in North India.

All pics from the evening on below gallery