Top Holi Recipes

Holi is one of the biggest Hindu festivals. It brings with it, the arrival of spring and colors in the world. We play with dry and wet colors. Traditionally, people used to make  colors from dried flowers, turmeric. Red color stands for love and fertility. Green for new beginnings. It is also a time to enjoy Holi sweets and snacks along with your loved ones. Enjoy the festival with the colors of food and frolic! Also, read below to see our top Holi recipes. See here to make your own homemade Holi color gulal without any nasties and toxic elements.

Happy Holi everyone!

Why do we celebrate Holi?

We celebrate it to honor of Shri Vishnu and his devotee Prahlada. Hiranyakashyapu was a king who wanted to be immortal. He wanted everyone to worship him. However,his son Prahlada did not adhere to his wishes and continued to pray to Shri Vishnu. He asked his sister to sit in a bonfire with Prahalada in her lap in order to test his faith. Holika had a boon that fire couldn't touch her if she wore her magical shawl. When the fire was lit, due to Shri Vishnu's blessing, shawl fell on Prahlad and saved him instead of Holika. Even today, Holika fire is lit on the eve of Holi in remembrance.

Top Holi recipes

Holi ki mithai & namkeen helps you recharge and play with colors all day long.

Sweet recipes:

1.  Mawa gujiya: No Holi is complete without the utterance of Gujiya. Traditional as it comes, it is an empanada we all grew up with. The sight of this fried gujiya still makes us a child. Click here for the recipe.Vegans do not despair, we have put together a vegan recipe too. Click here for the vegan version.

 

2. Malpua/malpuda : Easy eggless pancakes which just melt into the mouth. A must have at all Holi parties. This is the quintessential traditional Holi ki mithai. Click here to see the recipe. Serve it with rabri for best compliments.

3. Rassgulla: Who can resist the syrupy spongy rassogulla? No one can stop at one. Click here for recipe.

4. Kesar thandai: The traditional nut and spice mix for cool milkshake which is a must have. A Gluten-free delight. Consumed with or without bhaang. Takes me back to the gullies of Benaras. Click here to see the thandai powder recipe.

After all, Who can forget Rang Barse !

5. Gluten-free Kala Jamun: Who is not mesmerized by these small syrup laden  Kale Gulab Jamuns. Click here to see the recipe.

6. Quick Paan Ice cream: Betel leaf ice cream to finally digest all the heavy snacks and sweets. Gluten-free delight. Click here to see the recipe.

6. Mathura Peda : Holi is synonymous with Mathura and Vrindavan and so is this yummy peda.Click here to see the recipe.

7. Balushahi : Desi donuts known as balushahi or badushah are easy to cook and finish within minutes. Click here to see the recipe.

 

Holi snack recipes:

1. Moong dal kachori and Aloo sabji : Heavy brunch post the fun is definitely on the cards. Great food makes a great party after all. Click here to see the recipe

2. Baked Namak paare: Tiny tidbits of crunch and flavor. Original biscotti desi style. Nut free and vegan. Click here to see the recipe.

3. Dahi vada: Dahi vada or lentil fritters in yogurt served with mint and tamarind chutney. Also called as Dahi bhalla or Dahi bada. This is a starter which brings the main course around. Street food which occupies every foodie's thali be it wedding or home party. Click here for recipe.

4. Baked vegan Samosa : No party is complete without the samosa chaat. Whether you like to have it with tomato sauce or with mint chutney. This party starter rocks! Click here for recipe

Travel tip and Holi celebrations:

Best places to attend Holi festival are in North India. Holi has its own regional importance across India.

• North India:

• Dulandi Holi is celebrated in Haryana, where every bhabhi gets the upper hand  and beat their devar(husband's brother) for all their pranks of the entire year. Devars must also bring sweets for her in the evening.
• Braj Mathura and Vrindavan are famous for their colorful festivities. .Shri Krishna and Radha Rani and their leela comes alive even today during Holi. Lathmar holi is celebrated in Barsana, Radha rani's village where women hit men with sticks who want to apply color to them.
• Holi gets a military color in Punjab. Hola Mohalla is an annual fair held during 3 day Holi celebration in Anandpur Sahib,initiated by Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Sikh Guru. During this festival mock battles are fought and display of horse riding, gatka ,daredevil acts and martial arts are on the show.
• Gangaur commences the next day of Holi and goes for 18 days in Rajasthan. Young women worship Shiva and Parvati on this festive occasion.

• East

• West Bengal celebrates Holi along with Dol Purnima and Basant Utsav. People place the idols of Shri Krishna and Radha rani on a jhoola or swing and dance and sing  bhajans around them. Phagwa in Bihar where Holika Dahan or samvatsar dahan denotes the end of evils of the world of the past year.

• South:

• Kamanpadigai in Tamil Nadu where people worship Kamdev for his supreme sacrifice after awakening Shiva from his meditation after death of his consort Sati.

• West

• Rang Panchami in Maharashtra is reserved for 5th day especially by fishermen folk.

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