Diwali 2025: What to eat during the Festival of Lights

Diwali, also known as Deepawali, is the Hindu Festival of Lights that symbolizes the victory of good over evil through Dharma’s victory over Adharma. It’s a 5 day celebration of this victory, and marks the start of the Hindu New Year. This year it starts on October, 20, and with it celebrators are already building their feasts and lighting their diyas.

What are the traditional foods of Diwali?

Usually, sweets are the most common things to share with loved ones during Diwali, but it doesn’t end there. Since Indian cuisine is one of the richest in the world, this surely reflects on any celebration, and Diwali is not an exception. 

Traditional foods to eat during Diwali are; 

Chakli–a spicy lentil snack made into rings garnished with sesame seeds and packs a lot of flavor

Ladoo–sweet balls of flour, sugar, ghee, and regional flavors like cardamom or coconut

Samosas– pastries filled with savory fillings such as potatoes, onions, and peas and

Chole bhature– a perfect harmony of chickpea curry and flatbread to name a few!

Biryani is also always a crowd pleaser, although it’s traditional for any occasion!

For Diwali, as long as celebrators keep the festival’s spirit in mind, the feast is open for any traditional dish one may bring to the table. Such as pakora, egg curry, or Bombay style potatoes!  

Celebrations take place globally, especially in Berlin with a big Diwali Festival. 

Photo by Joshi Milestoner via Unsplash