Uttar Pradesh celebrates festivals like nowhere else. And at the heart of every festival is food: the sweets that mark beginnings, the fasting foods that test devotion, and the feasts that bring families together. Here is your month-by-month guide to what to cook for every major festival in UP.
January: Makar Sankranti
Star dish: Til ke Ladoo and Khichdi
Sesame (til) and jaggery ladoos are the signature sweet. For the main meal, prepare khichdi with rice, dal, and seasonal vegetables. In many UP households, this is also the day to prepare dahi-bada and aloo-puri. Nandi Daliya khichdi is a healthier alternative that many families are adopting.
March: Holi
Star dishes: Gujiya, Malpua, Thandai, Dahi Bada
Gujiya (sweet dumplings made with Nandi Maida) is non-negotiable for Holi. Fill with khoya and dry fruits. Make malpua with Nandi Maida and sooji for that perfect crispy-soft texture. Thandai with almonds, fennel, and rose petals is the festival drink. Deep-fried snacks like mathri and namak pare round out the spread.
April: Navratri and Ram Navami
Star dishes: Kuttu ki Puri, Singhara Atta Halwa, Sabudana Khichdi
Navratri fasting means no wheat, no rice, no onion, no garlic. Nandi Himalayan Pink Salt (Sendha Namak) is the only salt permitted during Navratri fasting. It is pure, unprocessed, and permitted in all fasting recipes. For Ram Navami, prepare a traditional sooji halwa as prasad with Nandi Sooji.
June-July: Eid-ul-Fitr
Star dishes: Sheer Khurma, Biryani, Kebabs, Sevaiyaan
Eid celebrations in Lucknow and across UP are legendary. Sheer khurma (vermicelli in milk with dry fruits) is the breakfast tradition. Nandi Sooji works beautifully for homemade sevaiyaan. For the feast, prepare biryani, kebabs, and korma.
August: Raksha Bandhan and Janmashtami
Star dishes: Gulab Jamun, Peda, Makhan Mishri, Panjiri
For Rakhi, prepare sweets for your brother. Gulab Jamun using Nandi Maida is a crowd favourite. For Janmashtami, it is all about dairy: makhan (butter), mishri (rock sugar), panchamrit, and panjiri made with Nandi Besan and dry fruits.
October: Navratri and Dussehra
Star dishes: Fasting foods + post-Navratri feast
Nine days of fasting followed by the grand Dussehra feast. After days of kuttu and singhara, families celebrate with elaborate meals: puri-aloo, kachori, kadhi pakora, and halwa.
November: Diwali
Star dishes: Besan Ladoo, Mathri, Namak Pare, Chakli, Barfi
The biggest festival food preparation of the year. Besan ladoo with Nandi Besan is a Diwali essential. Mathri and namak pare with Nandi Maida for savoury snacking. Many families start preparing a week in advance. Crispy pakoras are served to every guest who visits.
November: Chhath Puja
Star dish: Thekua
Chhath Puja is sacred, and Thekua is its most important prasad. Made with Nandi Choker Sahit Atta, jaggery, ghee, fennel seeds, and cardamom. Deep-fried in ghee until dark golden brown. This is a recipe where ingredient quality directly shows in the taste. Read our detailed Thekua recipe.
December: Christmas and New Year
Star dishes: Plum Cake, Cookies, Party Snacks
For the growing Christian community in UP and everyone who celebrates the season, Nandi Maida is perfect for baking. Christmas cake, butter cookies, and party snacks like samosas for New Year gatherings.
Every festival in UP has its own food identity. And almost every dish requires flour, besan, sooji, or spices. Keep your pantry stocked with Nandi products, and you will be ready for every celebration that comes.