Journalism of Courage
Here are five sweets to treat yourself to this Holi
The festival of colours, Holi,is right around the corner. Celebrated on Phalgun Purnima,Holi is preceded by the symbolic burning of the evil mythological character Holika in a bonfire,which is to show the burning of all evil. Next day,Dhulwad,is when North India celebrates with colours,but in Western Maharashtra,Dhulwad is played with the bonfire’s ashes,with the celebration of colours only taking place on Rang Panchami. Every festival in India is traditionally associated with a sweet. Here are five dishes to make your mouth water on this riot of colours.
Puran Poli
‘Holi re Holi,purnachi poli’. Puran Poli is closely associated with the festival in Maharashtra. Once prepared,the dish is offered to the fire and then to the house deity. A favourite with children,it is served with a soup made up from lentil broth called katachi amti. This dish has traditionally been prepared at home; today,however,people generally buy it. Though Puran Poli is available throughout the year ,we ensure its availability is there in sufficient amount at the time of Holi, says Sanjay Chitale,of Chitale Bandhu Mithaiwale. Its the traditional Mahrashtrian Puran Poli which is in demand,though some do ask for the one made of mawa,he adds.
Karanji or Gujiya
Called Gujiya in North India and Karanji in Maharashtra,this sweet dumpling is made up of wheat flour and stuffed with khoya and coconut. Though not a Holi sweet in Maharashtra,it is immensely popular in North India at this time of the year. Shrikant Parekh of Bhavnagar Sweets,Camp says,We place the orders for Gujiya from sweet shops in Uttar Pradesh as it is difficult to prepare Gujiya to the satisfaction of North Indian tastebuds.
Gathiya or Gathi
This is a sweet made up of sugar,fixed in a thread in the form of a series. It has special significance for Holi as well as Gudipadwa,which is the Marathi New Year. It is made at various shops across the city and available in almost all retail shops in the city. It comes in the form of a bracelet or series and is especially popular with children, says Sachin Rathod,a sweetshop owner at Kumthekar road. People also offer it to Holi bonfire. Gathia is prepared by boiling sugar with a little water and then pouring it into wooden Sachas in which the thread is already placed. Then it is cooled by placing it in water, says Rathod. A gathiya usually has nine pieces on a thread,but according to Prabhakar Dhembe of Maharashtra Gudadani and Sweets,at Kasba Peth,some gathiyas also have eleven pieces.
Ghevar
Ghevar is one of the most sought after sweet on Holi. Sindhis and Punjabis people like the sweet very much and eagerly await this festival to buy it. However,it is available at limited sweetshops in the city as the demand is high during Holi only and is a difficult sweet to prepare. Ghevar is a sweet like jalebi but slightly different in taste and appearance as honey is a vital ingredient in its preparation, says Jaya Athoni of Karachi Sweets,Camp. Ghevar is prepared and kept ready for sale as Sindhis in and around Pune like it and buy it in large quantities, adds Srikant Parekh of Bhavanagari Sweets.
Sweet Potato Puri
This a delicious dish from the Vidarbha region. The puris are made with boiled crushed sweet potato and wheat floor and sugar. Then,it is fried in vegetable oil or ghee. Though it is not available in sweet shops in the city,it is made in many a Vidarbha family homes in Pune. Vishal Bobade,a student from Nagpur says,This dish is quite delicious,but is difficult to get in Pune. However,my mother sends it quite often so I am kept happy. Puran Poli in our region is made during Diwali instead.
