Surat, Oct 6 (NationPress) Ghari is a cherished tradition in Surat, particularly during the festival of Sharad Purnima. This delightful sweet was first created by Devshankar Shukla in 1838 for freedom fighters. It rose to fame after being served to Tatya Tope and his soldiers post the 1857 rebellion, ultimately becoming emblematic of Surat.

Each year, Sharad Purnima, also known as Chandi Padwa, sees people from Surat and abroad indulging in Ghari. This year, in addition to the traditional Ghari, unique varieties such as Kunafa Ghari, Biscoop Ghari, and even gold and silver-infused Ghari are on offer. The gold-infused Ghari is priced at Rs 14,000 per kg, making a single piece about Rs 1,400. Meanwhile, silver and Kunafa Ghari are priced at Rs 2,500 per kg, while Biscoop version retails at Rs 1,800 per kg.

The uniqueness of this Ghari lies in its ingredients: it consists of mewa, almonds, pistachios, saffron, cardamom, and pure ghee. Gaurang Sukhadia, the owner of S. Motiram in Surat, mentions a substantial demand every year from countries including USA, Australia, Bahrain, Dubai, UK, and Canada, generating an estimated turnover of about Rs 5 million. He notes that they provide a range of Gharis to cater to diverse customer budgets. Many buyers express their anticipation for buying Ghari annually, often making choices based on their budget, especially regarding the gold variety.

In an interview with IANS, Gaurang Sukhadia shared, “Ghari was initially crafted by Tatya Tope for soldiers as an energy enhancer. It’s made with mewa, almonds, saffron, and pure ghee. We first launched Gold Ghari during the COVID period. Given the current high prices of gold, we’ve also introduced Silver Ghari. The demand remains robust.”

Sharad Joshi, a customer in Surat, remarked, “I came here to buy Ghari. I enjoy trying different types. The quality is excellent, and I always purchase Gold Ghari. People love savoring Ghari during Sharad Purnima.”

Ghari, also known as Surati Ghari, is a sweet delicacy from Gujarat made from puri batter, mewa (milk solids), ghee, and sugar. It is shaped into rounds filled with sweetness and is especially made during the Chandani Padwa festival. It comes in various flavors, including pistachio, almond-cardamom, and mewa.

Sharad Purnima, the night of the full moon when the moon shines the brightest and is closest to Earth, falls on Monday. This night is considered one of the most spiritually powerful of the year, with the moon believed to emit divine nectar (amrit). Traditionally, people prepare kheer and set it out under the moonlight to absorb these blessings.