7 Traditional Indian Sweets to Prepare for Shankaracharya Jayanti Pujas

We are sure that you will make many traditional Indian sweets for religious celebrations like Shankaracharya Jayanti. The holiday is not just the commemoration of his birth but a celebration of the knowledge he spread far and wide. In essence, this day honors the birth of Adi Shankaracharya, an 8th century spiritual and intellectual personality whose commentaries and teachings revived the essence of Vedanta and unified Sanatan Dharma across India. So, on this day, devotees gather to offer prayers, chant hymns and express gratitude for the wisdom he shared with the world. And as with any sacred day in the Indian tradition, while we do puja, we also know that no puja is complete without an offering of sweets. On this day, most people choose to make sattvic food which is pure, nourishing and free of onion, garlic and excessive spices. Similarly, the sweets offered during the puja should reflect the mood of reverence and devotion, being simple yet divine and celebratory. So here are seven traditional Indian sweets that you can prepare as an offering on this special day.

Panchamrit

Though not a sweet in the conventional sense, panchamrit is one of the most important offerings during any puja. It’s a mixture of five sacred ingredients: milk, curd, honey, ghee and sugar. It symbolizes spiritual nourishment and is representative of the five elements. It is usually offered as abhisheka (the bath) for the deity and later distributed as prasad. It’s pure, delicious and rooted in Vedic tradition. You can also chant his verses while preparing it so you’re adding a deeper layer of devotion to your kitchen.

Kesari

Kesari, also known as sheera, is made from semolina (rava), ghee, sugar and saffron. It’s often flavored with cardamom and topped with cashews and raisins and is generally a favorite at South Indian temples. It’s warm and hearty, and symbolizes knowledge, purity and devotion.

Kheer

Kheer is essentially the rice pudding; rice cooked in milk and sweetened with jaggery or sugar. It is one of the oldest sweets known to be made in Indian households for thousands of years now. It is also offered in temples across the country, often garnished with nuts, saffron or a light dusting of cardamom. This dish is simple yet profound, just like the man and his philosophy. It’s a dish that comforts and uplifts and brings both tradition and sweetness to your celebration.

Coconut Ladoo

These soft, white balls are made with freshly grated coconut, condensed milk and a touch of cardamom. They’re easy to prepare and are a common offering in pujas dedicated to saints, gurus, and deities alike. Coconut is considered auspicious and sattvic, and its purity resonates with the idea of renunciation that Shankaracharya preached. Making them with love and chanting mantras during preparation is a simple yet profound way of adding a touch of devotion to the process.

Boondi Ladoo

Boondi ladoos are made by frying tiny droplets of besan (gram flour) batter in ghee and then soaking them in a fragrant sugar syrup, before shaping them into golden spheres. They are often prepared during festivals and important religious ceremonies. They are festive, traditional and delicious, and they represent the joy and collective spirit of Sanatan Dharma, reminding us that even small acts can come together to create something beautiful.

Modak

A favorite of Lord Ganesha and Maharashtra’s iconic sweet, modaks are dumplings filled with jaggery and coconut, encased in rice flour or wheat flour dough. They can be steamed or fried, depending on regional and dietary preferences. Just as Shankaracharya was known for his deep devotion to Lord Ganesha, you too can partake in this spirit of devotion by preparing this sweet. Also, offering modak on his Jayanti is symbolic of invoking wisdom, clarity and most importantly, praying for the removal of obstacles.

Milk Peda

Soft, rich and creamy, pedas are made from khoya and sugar. They are shaped into little discs and often garnished with cardamom, saffron or pistachio. Their richness and simplicity make them an enduring favorite across India. Also, pedas are sattvic, satisfying to the soul and perfect for prasad. They carry the comforting flavor of bhakti and are easy to share, being a reflection of the generous wisdom of Shankaracharya that continues to be passed down generation after generation.

Remember that Shankaracharya Jayanti is a time to reflect on the brilliance of Advaita, which is essentially the oneness of all creation and of understanding the Self as being beyond the senses. It is a moment to focus the mind and honor this teacher who has given us the knowledge to connect with divinity. So, as you prepare these sweets, be intentional and keep in mind that it's not about the complexity of the recipe but the purity and devotion of your offering.