Premium

Ladu-Chivda sale, which has a place in the Guinness Book of Records, enters 38th year

In a scene straight out a foodie’s playbook, large platters of bright, crispy chivda are receiving a final mix, the aroma of roasted peanuts dances in the air, heaps of coconut pieces dry and acquire a rich colour, oil and ghee cans are stacked into high platforms, and laddoos shine like thousands of little suns. […]

4 min readPuneOct 14, 2025 10:27 PM IST

This is a ‘mangal karyalay’ in Marketyard where a Pune Diwali tradition has picked up steam before the festival of lights

There are two lakh kg of laddoos and chivda each on sale this year.(Special Arrangement)

In a scene straight out a foodie’s playbook, large platters of bright, crispy chivda are receiving a final mix, the aroma of roasted peanuts dances in the air, heaps of coconut pieces dry and acquire a rich colour, oil and ghee cans are stacked into high platforms, and laddoos shine like thousands of little suns. Pravin Chorbele of the Poona Merchants Chamber says that curry leaves alone fill a truck.

This is a ‘mangal karyalay’ in Marketyard where a Pune Diwali tradition has picked up steam before the festival of lights. Every year, the Poona Merchants Chamber offers a Ladu-Chivda sale, in which the festive delicacies are prepared and sold at less-than-market rates so that low-income homes can have a feast during Diwali. The 38th year of this tradition got underway on October 14 and will continue till the day before Diwali. The inauguration was by District Collector Jitendra Dudi and Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar.

“Thirty-seven years ago, when the economy was bad and public mood low, then Chief Minister Vasantdada Patil summoned a few of us businessmen and told us, ‘Aap logon ke liye kuchh karo’. He gave us sugar and daal and that’s how we started. We made 50 kg laddoos and chivda that first year. We distributed these among those people who were in a very bad condition. Every year, irrespective of the state of the economy, we have made ladi-chidwa before Diwali,” says Chorbele.

There are two lakh kg of laddoos and chivda each on sale this year.

Ladoos at ‘mangal karyalay’ in Marketyard, where a Pune Diwali tradition has picked up steam before the festival of lights. (Special Arrangement). (Special Arrangement)

Each year, the quantity keeps increasing. The tradition has entered the Limca Book of Records and the Guinness Book of Records. The kitchen is at work 24 hours. There are two lakh kg of laddoos and chivda each on sale this year. These are supplied through 22 centres spread across Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad.

“The work started a month ago. Companies, from whom we buy supplies throughout the year, give us the ingredients, such as dal, oil, ghee and poha, at a discounted rate. These ingredients are of the highest quality. We employ around 1,500 skilled cooks and workers and, after ritual prayers, the preparation begins a week before Diwali,” says Chorbele.

He emphasises that hygiene and authenticity are given priority during the process. “We don’t buy powdered dal from the market for the laddoos. We get the dal and grind it ourselves. That way, we are sure that there are no impurities,” he adds.

hygiene and authenticity are given priority during the process. (Special Arrangement)

Last year, the price was Rs 180 per kg of laddoo and chivda each; this year the rates have risen by Rs 10 each. “The price of LPG has gone up and we need to pay the workers more. We have to remember that the cooks put in a lot of dedication and hard work. We want Diwali to be good for everybody,” says Chorbele.

Story continues below this ad

The original intent of the sale might have been to boost the fallen morale of the public but, at present, people from all cross-sections look forward to the sale for the flavours it offers. Chorbele says the laddoos and chivda are being sent to the jawans at the border “and they look forward to it”. “There are parents who carry it for their children who are living in the US and the UK, among other foreign countries. Families, who have moved abroad, ask their relatives in Pune to send them the laddoo chivda. We deliver these orders in advance so that they can reach abroad before Diwali,” says Chorbele. Corporates buy in bulk to distribute the goodies to their staff. Packets travel to other cities, especially Delhi and Bengaluru.

Towards the end of the sale, the workers get tired rolling the laddoos but there are always a long queue outside the centres where people can buy the fare. “Many people say that they will roll the laddoos at home if we gave them the mix. The laddoos and chidwa have become an essential part of the celebration,” says Chorbele. The kitchen is humming with activity, the sale counters are bustling and, in homes across the city, Diwali celebrations have started with mouthfuls of laddoo and chivda.

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

Click here to join Express Pune WhatsApp channel and get a curated list of our stories

Tags:
pune

Loading Recommendations...

Jun 07: Latest News

Live Blog