Women prepare boondi ladoos, chaklis (whorls of lentil flour, coated lightly with sesame seeds), chivda (rice flakes mixed with cashew nuts and flavoured with hing), karanjis (rice flour cakes stuffed with sweetened fresh coconut), sev (spicy, wiggly strings of chana dal), etc.

Most workingwomen today buy these delicacies from shops or women who make them at home to sell. Orders for such homemade sweets are placed much in advance.

Photograph: Jewella C Miranda

Also See: The Festival of Nine Nights