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Chhoti Diwali Recipes: Chhoti Diwali 2025 is celebrated in different ways across India. In North India, puri, aloo, ladoo and kheer are made, while in Maharashtra and Gujarat, snacks like bohi, puranpoli and chakli are very popular. In South India, Pongal, payasam and vada are special dishes, while in Bengal and Odisha luchi, aloo dum and rasgulla are prepared.
Traditional choti diwali dishesChoti Diwali Recipes: Choti Diwali, i.e. Narak Chaturdashi, which comes a day before Diwali, is celebrated with different names and traditions across the country. Somewhere it is called Roop Chaudas and somewhere Kali Chaudas. On this day, along with cleanliness, the smell of delicious dishes also spreads into homes. It is believed that preparing delicious food and sweets on Chhoti Diwali brings positive energy and prosperity to the home. In a country as diverse as India, every state has its own signature dish that is definitely included in the plate on Diwali evening. Tell us what traditional dishes are prepared on this day in different parts of the country.
In North India, there is an abundance of sweets in homes on Chhoti Diwali. Especially in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Delhi, on this day people prepare special food after bathing in the morning.
- Curry, puri and potatoes are the main meal on this day.
- Gram flour ladoo, motichoor ladoo, khoya barfi and gulab jamun are also included in the thali.
- In many homes, garam dal and kheer are also prepared and distributed as prasad after the puja.
- On this day, people light lamps in the evening and welcome Goddess Lakshmi by placing sweet poa or malpua on the doorstep of the house.
Little Diwali in Western India
- In Maharashtra and Gujarat, Chhoti Diwali is called Narak Chaturdashi. On this day, people here apply ubtan before bathing in the morning and then eat traditional food.
- Light but delicious dishes like Pohe, Shrikhand, Puranpoli and Chivda are prepared.
- In Gujarat, snacks like Gogra (Gujja) and Matri are prepared in every home.
- In Maharashtra, people make chakli, karanji and laddoos and share them with family and friends.
- In these states, Choti Diwali is a festival not only of sweets but also of salty snacks.
Little Diwali in South India
- In South India, Chhoti Diwali is celebrated as Naraka Chaturdashi, and is considered the beginning of the real Diwali celebrations.
- Here, traditional South Indian dishes like idli, vada, pongal, payasam and sambar rice are prepared on this day.
- Of particular importance is the payasam (kheer), which is made from coconut milk and jaggery.
- In many parts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, people serve food on banana leaves on this day and enjoy traditional thali while sitting with family. Here the festival of Choti Diwali is considered a symbol of simplicity and family unity.
Little Diwali in eastern India
- In Bengal, Odisha and Assam, Chhoti Diwali is celebrated as Kali Puja.
- On this day, delicious dishes like khichdi, luchi (puri), aloo dum and rasgulla are prepared.
- During Kali Puja, sweets and coconut laddoos are offered to Goddess Kali.
In many districts of Odisha, traditional sweets like arisa pitha and chakoli pitha are prepared on this day, the fragrance of which makes the entire house festive.
Little Diwali in central India
- In Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, on the day of Choti Diwali, people make chana dal puri, semolina halwa and malpua.
- Spicy Dal-Bati-Churma is also prepared in homes on this day.
- According to local beliefs, dishes made with fresh oil and sweets made with ghee are considered auspicious on Diwali.
The real taste of the festival
In India, Chhoti Diwali is not only an occasion to eat but also to spend time with family and follow traditions. The dishes prepared in each state may be different, but their purpose is all the same – to bring happiness and harmony to the house.
On this day, when lamps are lit in homes, the aroma of dishes being prepared in the kitchen fills the entire atmosphere with the spirit of the festival. These traditional dishes prepared on Chhoti Diwali are not just a taste but also a symbol of our culture and unity.
Over 8 years of experience in the media industry, having worked with reputed organizations like ABP, NDTV, Dainik Jagran and India News. Particular skill in presenting stories of lifestyle, religion and culture in an interesting way.Read more
Over 8 years of experience in the media industry, having worked with reputed organizations like ABP, NDTV, Dainik Jagran and India News. Particular skill in presenting stories of lifestyle, religion and culture in an interesting way. Read more
