Traditions And Customs
| Introduction To Diwali Diyas |
| By : deepak verma | Previous | Next |
| Posted on : 28 Oct, 2005 | Total Views : 505 |
Though the traditional fare for any festival will never change, and will never lose its charm and charisma, new ideas to present them, are always welcome. So also are novel ways of saying happy diwali, which give joy not only to those at the receiving end but also to those at the giving end.
Diwali is a festival of lights, so this time around, lets make the lights which you can eat! Though a bit of skill would be required in moulding the mixtures into diyas, once you get the hand of it, its not only fun, but the results are astounding.
I have given colours, designs, etc. in each recipe. But do not limit yourself to the same. You can add your creative skills and come out will tasty, mouthwatering diyas, which look picture perfect. Use your choice of colours, decorations, and mixtures. But just make sure that all items are edible.
Use very fine food friendly brushes to paint on designs, keeping them to a minimum, because after all you are going to eat them, and no sense adding too many undesired concentrates.
No harm in using chocolate buttons, cake balls, gems, chocolate flakes, jeeragoli, etc. for decorations, to simplify your work.
Use edible silver foil with care, or else it will stick messily to your hands, and get unnecessarily wasted. While using foil, cut enough to fit a piece. Carefully open fold, invert over item, press lightly with the tracing paper in which it comes, without touching with bare hands. Even out to smoothen finish.
If diya moulds are hard to come by, use a 'shankya' used in Indian traditional homes, to give medicines to infants, it has a similar shape. Or, use earthen ones, but soak them in some oily warm water for a few hours to season, before using. A piece of foil or greaseproof paper may also be used to line the diya neatly, and the paper wedged carefully out after the shape has set well or hardened.
Any other material in which they are available may be used, but make sure you do not use wrong material in wrong equipment, like using foil or metal in a microwave or a paper or plastic mould in the traditional oven.
