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6 Min
03/10/2025
Dhanteras, the first day of Diwali, is associated with wealth and prosperity, and these themes are carried forward to foods as well. This article explores the dishes prepared on Dhanteras that are believed to bring prosperity, including laddoos, sweets made from ghee, jaggery, and milk, among others. Dive deeper to know more.
Dhanteras marks the beginning of Diwali. On this occasion, Hindus celebrate the god Dhanvantari, who is believed to be the god of medicine and Ayurveda. In mythology, it is believed that Dhanvantari emerged from the churning of the ocean with a pot of nectar, marking good health and abundance. Eating good and auspicious food during this festival is about inviting abundance, prosperity, and good health.
A lot of dishes made during Dhanteras are made from yellow and golden in colour, for example, lentils, jaggery, turmeric, and ghee, which reflect energy, wealth, and prosperity.
These food options are not just for symbolism, but they are actually healthy, too. Lentils, for example, are rich in protein, fibre and essential minerals. They support digestion and provide energy for the festive season. Ghee, a sacred ingredient, adds healthy fats and fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K. Sweets made from jaggery carry antioxidants and iron, providing natural sweetness and nutrition. When you mix these ingredients, the dishes made are not just auspicious, but they are also healthy, balanced, and do not weigh you down and keep going during the festive season.
Kheel (puffed rice) and batashe (sugar drops) are the simplest yet important offerings during Dhanteras and Diwali. Kheel is made from rice, which is harvested just before the festival, and batashe are included as no festival is complete without sweet offerings. The prasad or the first harvest is offered to the Goddess Laksmi first and then distributed as prasad to everyone. This is a way to pray to the divine to let the crop yield and prosperity come. This prasad is also light, digestible and a simple way to pray Goddess and seek blessings.
Lapsi, made from broken wheat, ghee, and jaggery, is one of the most auspicious dishes of Dhanteras. Symbolically, lapsi represents sweet starts and grains of prosperity, as each grain is linked to growth and abundance. In many Gujarati households, preparing lapsi is a must on Dhanteras, marking a sweet beginning for the year ahead.
Naivedya thali is a common way to offer bhog to Goddess Lakshmi during Dhanteras, especially in Maharashtra. This thali has multiple elements in it, like puran poli, kadhi, papads, pakoras, and curd rice, among others. The most important part of this thali or bhog offered is coriander seeds, also called dhane in Marathi, with jaggery. It is believed that this prasad, which is offered to the Goddess first and then distributed among people, brings prosperity and good luck, along with the bhog thali.
Panchamrut is an important condiment made in Indian households during many festivals and pujas. It is believed to be made from five elements, like milk, ghee, curd, honey, and sugar, all of which are believed to be sacred and pure. Panchamrut is offered to the Goddess first and then included in the meals as a condiment, mainly in Maharashtra. Each of the five ingredients has unique significance, like milk represents purity, ghee signifies strength, sugar is for bliss, curd for prosperity and honey signifies unity. Panchamrut is also beneficial for health as it aids in digestion and adds flavour to the thali.
Kheer is a sweet dish made during many Indian festivals apart from Diwali. It is believed to be the favourite of Goddess Lakshmi and thus brings blessings, prosperity and good luck. Kheer is made from rice, which is harvested just before Diwali, and boiled with sugar together. This dish tastes best when topped with dry fruits and nuts. The best part about kheer is that you can enjoy it hot and cold, and it will not disappoint you!
Boondi laddoo is another common sweet made during festivals. It is offered in bhog and also distributed as prasad. Boondi is made with besan and fried in oil and sugar syrup, and then shaped into laddoos. There is no substitute for boondi laddoo, which is handy, easy to prepare and a favourite of the Gods themselves!
From kheel batashe, lapsi, to kheer, the dishes above are proof of how foods prepared during Indian festivals are not made just for flavours but also carry ritualistic and dietary importance. These dishes are offered to the divine in the hope of seeking their blessings, bringing prosperity to homes during the Diwali season.