Holi Festival of Color

As spring nears, every Indian household gears up to celebrate the most colorful festival of the year – Holi! Holi also associated as Basant Utsav (Spring Festival) is the festival of colors which is celebrated across India with great cheer and happiness.

With festivities in full swing, you can feel the energy and enthusiasm in the air. Back home, every street vendors and dessert shops would be selling festival favorites. This is what I miss the most here. To make it feel like a festival, I have to make an extra effort. Decorate the house and cook delicacies.

Talking about delicacies, today I am sharing with you a drool-worthy gujiya recipe that is a must-have on Holi. Gujiya is one recipe that is always welcomed in my house. Whether it is a family gathering, festival or potluck, this light, and flaky Gujiyas are a serious crowd pleaser!

WHY IS HOLI CELEBRATED?

As per Hindu Mythology, Holi festival symbolizes the win of good over evil. Hiranyakashap, an ambitious king tries to kill his devotee son Prahlad by using his sister Holika. Holika was immune to fire and had a boon that she would never get burnt, but due to the blessing of Lord Vishnu Prahlad came out from the fire safely but Holika was consumed in that fire. 

To mark this legend, huge bonfires made with dry twigs and leaves are lit on the eve of Holi, to commemorate Holika Dahan. Metaphorically, the fire is meant to signify the destruction of evil (burning of ‘Holika’). The very next day, celebrations continue with people applying Gulaal and Abeer (festival colors) on each other. These festive colors signify the arrival of spring and all the vibrant colors it brings to nature. Therefore, it is pronounced as ‘The Festival of colors.”

To celebrate this festive occasion, huge parties are hosted. And –

• Boondi Ladoo
• Mawa Burfy
• Coconut Ladoo, are some of the sweets that are consumed on the happy moment of Holi. But for me Holi without Gujiya is incomplete.

WHAT IS A GUJIYA?

Gujiya is a stuffed deep-fried dumpling made with sooji and wheat flour dough. Gujiya can be prepared either sweet or savory. Since it’s the occasion of Holi, I plan to make the sweeter version. My kids love sweet gujiya and call it sweet, flaky pastries.