Durga Puja is a colorful celebration of Bengali life, honoring Goddess Durga and representing triumph against evil. Bengalis and her followers from all over the globe assemble every year for pandal-hopping, age-old traditions, and lip-smacking dishes. No celebration is complete without an assortment of Bengali sweets ranging from the evergreen Rasgulla to the irresistible Cham Cham, making the festival a sweet delight. If you wish to prepare some delicious and healthy sweets, then date palm jaggery is the ideal one to add to them.
Bengali sweets are the heart and soul of Durga Puja, and they convey heritage and emotion in every bite. There is the melt-in-the-mouth Sandesh, the syrupy Rasgulla, and the creamy Payesh, each carrying with it a tale and a meaning. Here we bring to you our handpicked list of must-try sweets that not only honor tradition but also bring sweetness into each moment of the puja celebrations.
Best Sweets to Make during Durga Puja
• Sandesh
Sandesh, the Bengali sweet par excellence, is a delicious sweet made with fresh chhena (or paneer) and sugar. The delicate dessert is valued for its lightness and fluffiness as well as the convenience it provides for creative sculpting and flavoring. Among its numerous permutations, Kesar Sandesh glows golden with saffron and Nolen Gur Sandesh retains the pungent, earthy sweetness of date palm jaggery. With the finest organic jaggery online, the ideal nolen gur sandesh is attainable.
Aam Sandesh, carrying the rich flavor of succulent mango, brings a taste of the tropics to this old favorite. Every bite is meticulously crafted, mirroring the grandeur of Bengal's sumptuous culinary past.
• Misti doi
Misti doi is a decadent dessert made with silky-smooth, caramelized sweet curd, typically served in charming earthen pots that serve to enhance its rustic charm. The creamy dessert offers a crisp coolness, making it the ideal dessert to follow a rich meal. For an indulgent treat, add some scented cardamom or a slight sprinkle of saffron, which infuses the dish with a tempting fragrance and a hint of sophistication.
• Kheer and payesh
Savor the creamy, rich rice pudding of tender rice and smooth milk, lightly sweetened with jaggery or sugar. Delicately infused with the soothing, spicy aroma of cardamom, the sweet course turns into a superhit to serve as part of puja bhog. It turns all the more special as part of celebratory Maha Ashtami and Dashami meals, where its soothing texture and taste give spice to the festivities. With the finest date palm jaggery, you can make a great payesh on the puja occasion.
• Kalakand
Kalakand is a rich milk cake of creamy texture made with concentrated milk solids and sweet sugar lovingly. Melt-in-the-mouth richness lends it a joy to relish, and it is ideal for celebration platters and party occasions. Pile a little vision and taste with a shower of crunchy pistachios or the traditional silver leaf (varak) touch, and each bite becomes a culinary indulgence.
Conclusion
No festival of Durga Puja is complete without a variety of homemade sweets that carry the spirit of devotion, community, and cultural pride. Whatever you choose to remain traditional with tried-and-tested favorites or move into new creations, these sweets are not just delicious morsels but offerings of love and gratitude to Maa Durga too. So get your apron on, turn on the festive music, and have your kitchen filled with the sweet fragrance of the season!