From Diyas to Delicious: A Feast of Deepavali Memories

Thivyashree Inthiran
Nov 30, 2025
4 min read

Our Food and Travel writer, Thivyashree, takes us back to the glow of Deepavali. Prepare for a one-two punch of nostalgia and serious cravings.

Deepavali may have passed, but the warmth of the festival still lingers — especially in the flavours and memories of the food. Even after the diyas have been packed away, I can still recall the golden snacks, sweet treats, and bustling family moments that make this celebration so special. For me, Deepavali isn’t just about lights or decorations; it’s about the aromas, textures, and rituals that bring everyone together.

Every year, preparations begin weeks or even months in advance. The kitchen becomes the heart of the house, filled with laughter, chatter, 90’s Tamil songs in the background, blending with chatter and the comforting sizzle of frying oil. Whether it’s shaping murukku spirals or stirring the perfect pot of chicken curry, the process feels like a celebration in itself. There’s something deeply special about seeing generations come together — grandparents sharing recipes, parents tasting and adjusting, and younger ones learning (and sneaking bites).

The Night Before: Honouring Ancestors and Lighting Up the House

The night before Deepavali often feels more festive than the day itself. We begin with prayers for our ancestors, remembering those who have passed. As part of this tradition, we prepare padayal sapadu, a special meal offering. A large banana leaf is carefully laid out and filled with rice, a variety of cooked vegetables, mutton and chicken curries, sweets, flowers, and even a bottle of Guinness beer — my grandfather’s favourite. Each dish is selected to honour the tastes of our loved ones, making the ritual both personal and meaningful.

That evening, cousins, parents, and childrens help to draw a large kolam at the entrance, the intricate patterns painstakingly traced with rice flour. Tiny oil lamps are placed along the lines, casting flickering shadows that dance across the walls and courtyard. The scent of incense mingles with the aroma of frying snacks, creating an atmosphere that is both festive and sacred. It’s a night of anticipation, laughter, and family togetherness, where every small task — from lighting lamps to arranging flowers — feels celebratory.

Morning of Deepavali: Nalla Ennai and Temple Rituals

The first morning of Deepavali begins with a special ritual: we apply Nalla Ennai (sesame oil) from head to toe, believed to bring health and prosperity for the year ahead. After a refreshing shower, we dress in bright silk clothes and head to the temple for morning prayers, offering gratitude and blessings. Returning home, our Deepavali breakfast is thosai or idli served with steaming plates of chicken and mutton curry. The table is alive with activity — my mother places each plate with steaming thosai’s, my cousins line up tiny bowls of chutney, and the aroma of spicy mutton curry drifts through the house. Sitting down together, I feel a sense of nostalgia and warmth; this simple meal marks the beginning of the day’s celebrations and the joy of being together.

Snacks and Sweets: Crunchy, Sweet, and Full of Tradition

No Deepavali is complete without crispy snacks. Murukku, mixture, and pakoda are staples, each bite offering a mix of textures and spices — the earthy warmth of lentils, the crunch of fried dough, the hint of chilli. Even after the festival, these treats remain irresistible during tea or late-night chats, the kind of leftovers we always look forward to having, carrying a taste of celebration into everyday life.

Sweets hold a magic of their own. Gulab jamun, crumbly laddu, and melt-in-your-mouth mysore pak evoke memories of childhood and family. Some families, including ours, mix tradition with innovation, adding chocolate barfi or fusion desserts, but the essence of celebration remains. Making these sweets is as meaningful as eating them: we share stories, laugh over mishaps, and package treats to bring joy to neighbours.

Main Meal: A Feast for the Senses

The main meal is a riot of colour, fragrance, and flavour. On Deepavali night, we gather for a grand feast, enjoying dishes like briyani, rasam, thosai, and vadai, surrounded by curries, chutneys, and fragrant rice. The table is bustling; cousins passing dishes, parents adjusting plates, grandparents smiling at the organised chaos. Each dish reflects generations of tradition: the careful layering of spices in the briyani, the tang of tamarind in the rasam, the crisp edges of the vadai. After the meal, we step outside to light firecrackers, filling the night with sparks, laughter, and a sense of shared celebration. Eating together and playing under the glowing lamps, every moment feels like a celebration of culture, community, and family.

Lingering Flavours

As the festival fades into memory, the flavours of Deepavali remain. The spicy warmth of curries, the sweet richness of desserts, and the lingering aroma of freshly fried snacks keep the celebration alive. This year’s Deepavali may be over, but its taste and spirit linger — in leftover sweets, in the scents that fill the air, and in the smiles shared over every meal. Perhaps that is the true magic of the festival: it may last only a few days, but its flavours, memories, and joy stay in our hearts all year long.