Traditional Sweets Offered During

Laxmi Puja

As Prasad

Quick Summary

Just like Holi is incomplete without colors, puja (prayer or holy ceremony) in Hindu culture is incomplete without traditional sweets. These are offered to the deity as a sign of veneration and received by devotees as prasad, aka a sign of the deity’s blessings. Laxmi Puja, usually celebrated in October, falls on the full moon night in the Hindu month of Ashwin. And it also includes traditional sweets offered by devotees across the nation. 

Deep Dive

The period from late September to early November is characterised by multiple festivals and celebrations in India. Each celebration holds a religious and cultural significance, and has certain rituals associated with it. One such celebration is done in veneration of Goddess Laxmi, considered the goddess of prosperity in Hindu culture. Laxmi puja, also known as Kojagari Laxmi Puja, includes traditional offerings of sweet and savory items. Depending on the region in India, Laxmi pujas may also include prayers offered to other deities, typically Ganesha, Saraswati, or Kubera. However, in most of Odisha and West Bengal, Laxmi Puja is a grand celebration of Goddess Laxmi. Laxmi Puja is celebrated as a sign of respect, but also considered to be the day when Goddess Laxmi descends on Earth and blesses her devotees. Read ahead to know more about the traditional sweets offered during Laxmi Puja

Laddoos

Widely considered as one of the oldest Indian sweets, Ladoos are round in shape and made with various ingredients. The one thing common across most types is the addition of a sweetener like sugar or jaggery. Here are the four types of ladoos most commonly offered during Laxmi Puja: 

• Besan Ladoo: These are made from roasted gram flour, ghee, and sugar. Brown in color, with a fine texture, besan ladoos are particularly popular in North India. 
• Boondi Ladoo: One of the most popular types, boondi laddoos are also made from gram flour. But the difference in preparation technique results in ladoos that are orange in color and have a coarser texture. These are more widely available than even besan ladoo. 
• Narkel Naru: A popular Bengali sweet, narkel naru refers to coconut ladoos. Freshly grated coconut forms the base of the sweet dish, with sugar or jaggery acting as the primary sweetener. 
• Tiler Naru: Naru means round. Tiler naru, thus, are round, bite-sized sweets of tiler (sesame seeds). Mostly made with jaggery, these are popular in West Bengal. Since jaggery is the primary sweetener, the laddoos can be soft and chewy or firm and dense, depending on how long the jaggery is cooked. 

Kheer

Another popular sweet is kheer, a creamy rice and milk pudding that’s considered to be a symbol of luxury and prosperity. Minor variations in ingredients and techniques across regions can change the dish’s color, presentation, and even name (payasam in South India, and payesh in Bengal). Here are some popular varieties served during Laxmi Puja: 

• Rice Kheer: Rice is slow-cooked in milk with sugar and spices (like cardamom) to create a flavorful dessert. Payesh, the Bengali version, uses short-grain Gobindobhog rice. 
• Seviya Kheer (Or Fenni Kheer): This version replaces rice with roasted vermicelli, instead of rice. It’s quicker to cook but just as delicious. 

Usually, as part of the holy offering, saffron strands may be added to the kheer. Saffron symbolizes opulence and wealth and may be used, especially during Diwali celebrations. 

Panchamrit

Panchamrit literally refers to amrit (immortal nectar) made from 5 (panch) ingredients, namely milk, curd, honey, ghee, and gangajal (or sugar). It’s commonly offered to deities in temples across India and distributed as a prasad among the devotees. During Laxmi puja, panchamrit may also be used to bathe the idol of Goddess Laxmi, before being distributed among the devotees. 

Each element of the panchamrit holds a symbolic meaning: Milk represents purity and piousness, ghee symbolizes strength and victory, honey stands for unity and dedication, sugar for sweetness and bliss, and lastly curd signifies prosperity and transformation. However, beyond the symbolism, the drink (with the combined ingredients) is also considered to aid digestion and strengthen immunity; thus earning the title of an immortal nectar (amrit). 

Other Offerings during Laxmi Puja

Kheer, ladoos, and panchamrit are the commonly offered traditional sweets during Laxmi Puja, but devotees may also include other sweet items like: 

• Batashe: Aerated sugar candies traditionally offered with puffed rice. These are one of the oldest forms of prasad offered during Hindu festivals.  
• Sandesh: Typically served in Bengal, sandesh is a chenna-based sweet that’s difficult to master, but immensely popular for its crumbly texture, melt-in-mouth sponginess, and caramel-like sweetness (especially in Gur Sandesh, made from jaggery). In North India, gulab jamun may be served instead of sandesh. 
• Halwa: Roasted semolina or gram flour, mixed with sugar and spices, is commonly served in temples and Gurudwaras in India. And it may even be served as part of the Laxmi Puja offering. 
• Barfi: Square or diamond-shaped sweet dishes made from different materials are also offered during Puja. Kaju Katli (made from cashews) and kalakand (made from condensed milk) are more commonly offered. 
• Dry fruit and nuts: Dry fruits like almonds, cashews, raisins, etc., are commonly offered during Puja as a symbol of abundance. 
• Puffed Rice: Puffed rice may be offered as is (along with batashe for a sweet-and-savory combination). Alternatively, varieties of puffed rice, like Moa (with jaggery) and Khoi, are offered as well.

A Sweet Note Of Blessings

Rituals and offerings go hand in hand. These offerings are not just a way to venerate a God; they’re also a reason to take a pause, and let the peace and joy of puja and festivals take over our busy lives for a minute. It’s a way to celebrate and spend time with family, enjoying a feast of good food and great memories. And to come together, and pray, with a pure heart, for the divine blessings.