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10 Bengali Sweets to Try This Durga Puja

10 Bengali Sweets to Try This Durga Puja

Introduction

Durga Puja is one of the most important festivals in Bengali. In fact, it is a big and culturally sound event that shows the victory of Durga over Mahishasura, or in other words, Good over Bad. Bengalis, during this event, come together with their family, cherish the past, and entertain themselves with various traditional events. While vivid processions, detailed idols, and gripping performances already underline its creativity, this festival is made far sweeter by an excellent collection of traditional Bengali sweets. From the Best Mithai Shop in Delhi, such sweets are available in other part of India as well.

Importance of Offering Bhog in Hinduism as an Act of Devotion

Sweets are an essence of Durga Puja. They are not items merely to gobble down but are part of the celebrations and are usually distributed amongst relatives and friends as a token of love and commitment. The houses and pandals remain filled with noises of laughter and prayers, and above all, great food for the five days of Durga Puja. The offerings to Goddess in the form of sweets bring liveliness to the cheerful mood of the auspicious day. To genuinely relish the Bengali Sweets during Durga Puja, here are ten options one should try.

10 Best Bengali Sweets for Durga Puja

1. Rasgulla

Rasgulla

Rasgulla is a surprisingly sweet dish in Bengali cuisine. Its popularity is justified by soft and spongy paneer balls in thick, sweet syrup. Originating in West Bengal, this has now become one of the traditions. The word “Rasgulla” means rose ball, which describes the product’s spherical shape and melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Rasgullas are everywhere during Durga Puja, a Hindu festival where Durga is worshipped as the Goddess of strength and protection. In some ceremonies, they are served as prasad. Light and airy, rasgullas represent purity and sweetness, hence befitting a goddess offering. This dish brings together the spirit of the day and festivity.

2. Sandesh

Another dessert that most Bengalis like is sandesh. Sandesh is prepared with fresh chhena, or curdled milk, and is noted for its light taste and texture. The flavour of cardamom or saffron is usually added to give it a slight but alluring aroma. Various types of flavours characterize the different types of Sandesh. Sliced almonds or pistachios provide some bite and classiness as garnishes.

Sandesh, being simple, is a good Durga Puja offering. Its elegant taste and attractive look make it welcome among the sweets of the festival. Attention to minute details in its preparation reflects respect and devotion to the occasion.

3. Misti Doi

Misti doi in Bengali means sweetened yoghurt in English. It is known for its creamy texture and its ultimate sweetness. Misti Doi, prepared by mixing yoghurt with sugar or jaggery, is served in clay pots for authenticity in flavour. Rich, creamily smooth, it is the hallmark of Bengali sweets, the perfect ending after a celebration.

While preparing Misti Doi, yoghurt is left to ferment to attain a sweet-savoury depth. This dessert forms an indispensable part of the food during Durga Puja and is truly a gastronomic delight. Its presence signals that something tasteful and classic has just arrived and hence becomes vital to the festivities.

4. Chomchom

Chomchom is the favourite Bengali snack with its special taste. The sweet syrup used to make this chhena delicacy more delectable. The oval-shaped Chomchom and toppings with khoya or coconuts keep them different from other Bengali Sweets.

The flavours of saffron and rose give it a colourful, visually attractive look for any occasion. Chomchom is normally visible during Durga Puja celebrations and as a gift item because of its bright colour and varied flavours. Its sweetness and smoothness make it a holiday staple.

5. Rasmalai

Rasmalai

Rasmalai is a sweet delicacy among Bengalis during the time of Durga Puja. It essentially consists of tender discs of paneer dunked in rich ‘ras’ milk. Milk with cardamom, saffron, and other fragrant spices is called Rasmalai owing to its creamy texture and flavour.

Garnishing with almonds, pistachios, or saffron threads gives it a grand look and taste. Rich in flavour and sumptuous in texture, it’s apt for offering to the Goddess or consuming after a festive dinner. Rasmalai is prepared with delicate paneer and spicy milk, which is surely a holiday treat.

In Chappan bhog, the sour and sweet chutneys come with the potato cakes or the  Tikki. Such deep-fried concoctions like this Indian street food are often a snack or appetizer.

6. Kheer Kadam

Kheer Kadam

Kheer Kadam is a mixture of rasgulla with a Bengali kheer dessert. Tasty rasgullas covered with khoya or kheer with cashew nuts and cardamom are garnished.

This would be only a great combination of taste and essence for the lovers of Kheer and Rasgulla. Kheer Kadam is the most innovative thing one would find on the Durga Puja dessert table, clearly showing the knowledge of the richness of Bengali food. The unusual combination of sweet, spongy rasgulla with creamy khoya makes it perfect for celebrations and individual pleasure.

7. Malpua

This Bengali sweet adds delight to any festival. The perfect batter for pancakes is prepared with flour, coconut, and ripe bananas and fried deep until crisp. Malpua is first prepared and then dipped in fragrant sugar syrup to give it flavour and sweetness.

Malpua is both the beauty and delicacy on the dessert table. It is generally garnished with almonds or coconuts. This syrupy, sweet, and crunchy malpua balances the heavy, briny eats of Durga Puja. These mouth-watering flavours make malpua very popular for offering to the Goddess and for entertaining guests.

8. Pantua

Pantua is one of the most well liked Bengali Sweets, similar to gulab jamun. Pantua is an expensive dessert, as it consists of fried chhena balls drenched in syrup, and the additional ingredient that separates pantua from gulab jamun is reduced milk, or khoya.

This, therefore, makes Pantua a unique offering during Durga Puja because it makes it richer and delicious. People visiting the venue like offering it to the Goddess and treating themselves with it. Whoever comes to the festival must have the nut-like textured pantua with rich caramelized flavour.

9. Shor Bhaja

Shor Bhaja

Shor Bhaja is a lesser-known Bengali delicacy which goes well with the Bengali Sweets delicacies of Durga Puja. Crispy Shor Bhaja is prepared with lent flours and khoya. The candy is then sugar-coated in order to add crunch after being cooked till golden.

Shor Bhaja is unique in its flavour and texture, adding variety to the festive table by offering a contrast to soft and sweet desserts. It is a must-have in every Bengali family celebration due to its rich taste and crispy texture.

Shor Bhaja is a lesser-known Bengali delicacy which goes well with the Bengali Sweets delicacies of Durga Puja. Crispy Shor Bhaja is prepared with lent flours and khoya. The candy is then sugar-coated in order to add crunch after being cooked till golden.

Shor Bhaja is unique in its flavour and texture, adding variety to the festive table by offering a contrast to soft and sweet desserts. It is a must-have in every Bengali family celebration due to its rich taste and crispy texture.

10. Patishapta

Patishapta

Patishapta increases the celebration for Bengalis. This crepe is excellent, with a thin and tender batter and crunchy frying. Next, it contains a thick mixture of coconut and jaggery inside the crepe to make it a bit sweet and aromatic. After having a big meal, Bengali patishapta is served as dessert. Its delectable taste and fine presentation make it an outstanding option during Durga Puja and enhance the cultural essence of the occasion.

Conclusion

The round of colourful and texture-rich Bengali cuisine makes Durga Puja more delectable. They are an inseparable part of the celebration and speak volumes about Bengali culture and food habits. It is offered this year, too, by Halwaivala, where purity and quality of sweets mean the world. Looking for a unique experience with vegetarian Sweets in Naraina, Delhi? There’s Halwaivala.

Try these Halwaivala Bengali sweets to make Durga Puja special. Buy online or visit their store in Naraina, Delhi, for an experience so good. Life and love are celebrated at Halwaivala, and so is the memory built around sweets. This Durga Puja, savour the tradition and give a box of these mouth-watering candies to your loved ones!

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