The festive season in Maharashtra households is incomplete without Diwali faral, a curated assortment of savoury and sweet treats. The ingredients range from the crisp chakli and flaky karanji to the melt-in-the-mouth besan laddu and fiery poha chivda. Faral is not just a platter of snacks, but a cultural ritual, an edible expression of hospitality, and a seasonal identity that defines the festival across the state. Here’s where you can get your faral from.
Ruturaj Patkar from Ruchkar store, Mumbai, tells us, “Our speciality is Bhajani Chakli, prepared using a traditional recipe that preserves its distinctive taste, texture and flavour. Our focus has been on preserving the originality of these age-old preparations rather than compromising on taste and quality in the pursuit of commercialisation. “While Diwali comes only once a year, people prefer options with less oil and sugar. Our lighter preparations have received a good response, with our specialities being Bhajani Chakali and Besan Ladoo,” she shares.
Shubhangi Awade of Chatak Matak foods, Pune says that festive season invites indulgence, but people are becoming more conscious of what they eat.
