Varanasi, also known as Kashi and Banaras, is counted among the most ancient and spiritual cities of India. Situated on the banks of the river Ganges, this city is not only important from a religious point of view, but is also famous for its vibrant culture, traditions and delicious cuisine. Especially on the occasion of Dev Deepawali, when the whole city is lit up with lamps, then lakhs of tourists from India and abroad reach here. During this time, the grandeur of the ghats, the faith of the temples and the experience of Banaras food are no less than a festival.
This time Dev Deepawali will be celebrated on 15 November 2024 and this time is the best opportunity to visit Kashi. If you are planning to visit Varanasi on this special occasion, then do not forget to taste the amazing street food there. Let us know about eight such Banarasi dishes without which the trip to Kashi is considered incomplete.
1. Malaiyo – Winter Special Offer
If you like sweets, then the famous Malaiyo of Banaras will give a different experience to your taste. It is prepared on cold nights by keeping milk under the open sky so that the moisture of the dew can make it frothy and light. It is given a very soft texture by adding cardamom, saffron and sugar. It is served in a kulhar after garnishing it with chopped almonds and pistachios. Its taste is so delicate that once you eat it, it is always remembered.
2. Tomato Chaat – Spicy and unique taste
Varanasi chaat is famous all over the country, but the Tomato Chaat here is made in a completely different way. In this, tomatoes are mashed with boiled potatoes and spices and then it is made tasty with green chillies and special spices. This chaat is served sour-sweet, spicy and hot by adding salt and green coriander on top. This Banarasi snack is the favorite dish of every tourist.
3. Banarasi Lassi – Enjoy the coolness in a Kulhad
Banaras Lassi is not just a drink but the pride of this place. This thick and creamy lassi made from curd is decorated with rabri, saffron and nuts on top. It is served in a kulhad which enhances its taste even more. It gives refreshment in summers and people drink it with fondness even in winters due to its sweet taste. Here you will also find lassi with flavors like rose, mango and butterscotch.
4. Rabri Jalebi – A perfect confluence of sweet
If you want to enjoy two different sweets together, then Banaras Rabri Jalebi is the best option for you. Crispy and hot jalebi is dipped in sugar syrup and creamy rabri is poured on top. The taste of cardamom and saffron makes this sweet even more special. This dish is liked by everyone on winter mornings or evenings.
5. Thandai – a combination of taste and health
Thandai of Banaras is an important part of the tradition here. Thandai, made by mixing almonds, fennel, rose petals, saffron and cardamom in milk, is excellent for both taste and health. On the occasion of festivals, it is also served with bhang, but its normal form is so amazing that people like to drink it again and again. This cold and aromatic drink served in a kulhad is the unique taste of Banaras.
6. Kachori Sabzi – Breakfast of Varanasi
If you don’t have kachori-sabzi for breakfast, then your trip to Varanasi is considered incomplete. This combination of crispy kachori filled with lentils and spicy potato sabzi is everyone’s favourite. Its aroma from the shops in the streets in the morning will draw you towards it. Locals often eat it for breakfast and tourists too never forget to enjoy it.
7. Litti-chokha – Taste of Desiness
Although this dish is associated with Bihar, litti-chokha is very popular in Banaras too. Round wheat flour littis are filled with sattu and spices and roasted on embers. It is served with a roasted mixture of brinjal, potato and tomato i.e. chokha. Its smoky flavour and spicy chokha make it a filling and satisfying meal.
8. Banarasi Paan – The sweet end of every meal
The first thing that comes to mind when we think of Banaras is Banarasi Paan. It is not just the taste but also the culture and identity of this place. Made by stuffing a mixture of spices like fennel, gulkand, cardamom and cloves in fresh leaves, the paan gives a feeling of freshness and sweetness as soon as it enters the mouth. Whether you take sweet paan or plain, it is the perfect end to a trip to Banaras.
Conclusion
Dev Deepawali of Varanasi is not only a wonderful experience from a religious and cultural point of view, but it is also a unique festival of tastes. Every dish found in the streets of Kashi has its own identity and tradition. If you are going to Banaras on Dev Deepawali in 2024, then along with seeing the sparkle of lamps on the ghats, definitely taste these eight amazing street foods. This is the real Kashi experience—where devotion, culture, and flavours come together to create lifelong memories.
