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Copyright © 2025 Foodies Only
Copyright © 2025 Foodies Only
6 Min
14/10/2025
Dhanteras marks the beginning of Diwali, a day devoted to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and Kubera, the god of prosperity. But the rituals are not limited only to that; they extend much beyond that and into the kitchen, too. From laddoos to sugary kheel-batasha and savoury mathris, each festive food is about abundance. This article looks at the foods like these prepared during Dhanteras that symbolise wealth and prosperity.
Dhanteras kickstarts the Diwali festivities, it is about abundance and prosperity. It is believed that whatever you cook today sets the tone for prosperity and abundance in the coming year. Gold colour dominates not only for ornaments and utensils but also for food. Ghee, saffron, sugar, and jaggery are the main ingredients during Dhantera, which echo the wealth.
Many families begin the evening with simple offerings, a thali of laddoos, kheel-batasha, poha, and gur. The symbolism behind this is sweetness for harmony, puffed grains for expansion, and richness for prosperity. Dhanteras is not only about acquiring wealth but also about considering food as the most valid form of abundance. It is considered something that should be shared, savoured, and appreciated.
From besan laddoos in the North to motichoor and boondi versions across India, these golden laddoos are synonymous with wealth. Their colour reflects gold, and their round shape represents fulfilment, qualities that Lakshmi herself embodies. Preparing laddoos with generous amounts of ghee and dry fruits is all about richness in both material and spiritual aspects. Traditionally, offering laddoos was considered as an invitation to the goddess for sweetness and prosperity in houses. Even today, trays of laddos are shared among friends and families, as they symbolise love, luck and prosperity.
While laddoos represent luxury, kheel (puffed rice) and batasha (sugar drops) stand for purity and simplicity. These offerings, placed near the Diya and idols, are symbolic. The puffed rice’s texture signifies expansion of wealth, goodwill, and blessings, while batasha, made from crystallised sugar, symbolises sweetness that is earned through devotion. In many homes, these are the first items offered during the evening puja, representing an unadorned and heartfelt connection with the divine. Their white-gold shimmer under lamp light is a reminder that even the simplest foods can carry the richest meanings.
Meethi mathri during Dhanteras is a staple in many regions. Their coin-like shape links directly to prosperity, and they are often prepared in bulk for sharing with neighbours and guests. The process involves deep-frying in ghee and storing them in tins, which symbolises wealth. In many Rajasthani and UP homes, sweet mathris are topped with cardamom and saffron, which symbolise luxury, abundance.
Jaggery (gur) and flattened rice (poha) come together as a mix that is often offered during Dhanteras and Govardhan Puja. Their contrast, one sweet and sticky, the other dry and light, represents balance in life and wealth. Many rural households still make this combo, proving that true prosperity is as much about simplicity as about wealth.
A Dhanteras thali is incomplete without a platter of dry fruits, barfis, or halwas. Almonds, cashews, and pistachios, coated in silver leaf or topped with mithai, are ancient symbols of abundance. Serving these in shining metal bowls signifies completeness and gratitude for nature’s bounty. Even the metallic shimmer of silver varq echoes the theme of wealth and purity. Whether it is badam halwa, kaju katli, or dry fruit chikki, these delicacies are more than just indulgences; they are offerings of thankfulness, and a way to share joy and prosperity with others.
Dhanteras reminds us that prosperity and wealth come in many forms. It is not just about coins or wealth, but also about the food that is cooked in the kitchens. From sweets to savoury dishes, each one of them shows how wealth does not come in grand foods but in the smaller ones that we consume regularly or have stored in our homes. From simple gur to kheel batasha, Dhanteras is all about valuing what we have and offering it to the god and praying for wealth and prosperity in the coming year.
