Hariyali Teej is just around the corner and married women around the northern Indian states are gearing up to celebrate it at home. It is an important festival in the Hindu community, especially in the states of Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Celebrated to mark the reunion of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva, Hariyali Teej typically falls in the month of shravana, according to the Hindu calendar. Hariyali in the name is indicative of the greenery in nature that is accentuated during the monsoon season. The festival is celebrated to symbolise the happiness and prosperity among married couples. This year Hariyali Teej falls 23rd July 2020.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the festivities this year might not be as grand as they have been through the years. Women may not be able to get together to celebrate or get henna (mehandi) done on their hands as a tradition, but there's still so much that one can do at home. One of the most significant parts of Hariyali Teej is the rich, sweet and deep-fried, ghevar.
(Also Read: Teej 2020: Date, Vrat Significance, And Traditional Foods Of Hariyali or Sindhara Teej)
A Rajasthani sweet treat, ghevaris the reason why most of us wait for Teej! The honeycomb-like dessert is a circular disc made of maida (all-purpose flour), mildly fried in moulds, soaked in sugar syrup, filled with rabri and nuts and topped with malai. With a crispy top and spongy stuffing, who wouldn't like to dig in to a sinful indulgence of what we can call our very own Indian tart? While one can find ghevar across sweet shops in northern Indian region around Teej and Rakshabandhan, homemade ones are always special. Besides, the pandemic has left all of us concerned about the safety of whatever we eat, touch or buy. Making ghevar at home will not only ensure that it is safe but will also make your festival all the more special!
Malai Ghevar Recipe:
We have got a simple malai ghevar recipe which has flour, placed in a circular mould, deep fried in oil and then dipped in sugar syrup. It is then topped with freshly made malai from milk, sugar, cardamom powder and saffron. You can top it with crunchy nuts and dry fruits. The ghevar can be as big as the mould and wok you choose. You can also make multiple small ghevars this way.
So get your aprons and sweet tooth ready and whip up a delectable ghevar in your own kitchen this hariyali teej. Find the recipe here.
Try it at home and let us know your experience in the comments section below.