Celebrate Diwali 2022 with Indian sweets from these South Asian bakeries in metro Phoenix
Diwali, a holiday that takes place over five days in the fall, is usually a busy time for Deepa Patel and her north Phoenix restaurant Om Indian Bistro as she gears up to sell traditional snacks and sweets for the holiday each year.
Sharing sweets and gathering with generations of family to celebrate Diwali is something Patel looks forward to.
"I love the family get-together, all the small kids, young, old, everyone. And usually the elders give something to the children," she says. "It's like Christmas to here."
This year, Diwali begins on Oct. 24, 2022, and many Arizona families have already begun shopping for gifts and sweets to mark the occasion.
Which sweets are eaten during Diwali?
Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a holiday traditionally celebrated in India and Pakistan, and the holiday is an important element of Hinduism. Now, much like Christmas, Diwali has expanded and many people of different religions celebrate and spend time with family.
Diwali lasts for five days and throughout the week, families clean their houses and set out clay lanterns to decorate. People often wear their best clothes for the holiday as well.
"In our tradition in India, you go to the temple with family and friends," Patel says, describing a typical day of Diwali including an early morning temple visit and a return in the evening for a large fireworks display.
The main celebration falls on the third night of the holiday, and on the following nights, families visit different relatives to celebrate and share a meal.
Diwali in Arizona: How this Chandler family celebrates with fireworks and fried snacks
Traditionally, when friends and family visit each others' homes during the holiday, the host gives them sweets, Patel says. The sweets can be homemade or store bought and come in all shapes, sizes, flavors and colors.
Two of the most traditional sweets, and also Patel's best sellers, are penda, also called peda, and jalebi. Penda are a dense, chewy treat made with sweet milk powder, cream and sugar. Jalebi are fried spirals made with gram flour that are soaked in sugar syrup.
Where to buy Diwali sweets in metro Phoenix
Om Indian Bistro in Phoenix
At Om, Patel sells a large variety of different sweets for customers to take home. If customers are new to Diwali sweets, she encourages them to try a sample before deciding which to pick.
"Whatever we have, you can come by and taste and buy what you like," she says.
Many Diwali sweets are made with nuts, so make sure to ask if you have an allergy. Call ahead to place a takeout order or stop by to see which sweets are available at the restaurant.
Details: Om Indian Bistro, 18631 N. 19th Avenue, Unit 150, Phoenix. 602-497-4971, omindianbistro.com.
Pastries N Chaat in Tempe
Pastries N Chaat in Tempe sells boxes of sweets in both single and mixed varieties. The selection in years past have included sweet milk doodh peda, gram flour and cardamom boondi laddu, besan burfi, sugar syrup-dipped mothi choor laddu, creamy rasmalai and the round, fried dough gulab jamun. Call ahead to find out what's available.
Details: Pastries N Chaat, 920 E. University Drive #103, Tempe. 602-365-0850, pastriesnchaattempe.com.
New India Gate in Chandler
New India Gate also serves sweets for Diwali and they are available either to enjoy at the restaurant or for takeout. Varieties for sale include gulab jamun, kheer pudding and mango or pistachio kulfi, a creamy frozen dessert. Call ahead to place takeout orders.
Details: New India Gate, 4939 W. Ray Road #1, Chandler. 480-427-4141, azindiagate.com.
New India Bazaar in Phoenix
When walking into the small market New India Bazaar near downtown Phoenix, the large cases of colorful desserts are hard to miss. New India Bazaar sells a wide variety of different sweets by weight, so customers can pick out exactly which eye-catching treats suit their fancy.
Details: New India Bazaar, 2544 N. Seventh St., Phoenix. 602-712-0009, nibarizona.us.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Diwali Phoenix 2022: Bakeries with Indian sweets barfi, peda, jalebi
