Dussehra Recipes | 85 Dasara Festival Recipes

vector image of lord rama with a bow and arrow with text layovers

Significance of Dussehra Festival

Dussehra Festival or Dasara marks the end of Navratri and Durga Puja celebrations in their respective regional locations in India. The word ‘Dussehra’ is a culmination of 2 Sanskrit words ‘dasha’ meaning ‘ten’ and ‘hara’ meaning ‘defeat.’ When put together, the word literally means ‘removal or defeat of ten.’

It was Bhagwan Ram who defeated the 10-headed demon king Ravana on this day. Thus, signifying the victory of truth over evil and giving the true meaning to this word. This festival is thus meaningful for the current times as well. It inspires everyone to follow the path of dharma, truth and righteousness. It reminds us that in the end, truth always wins.

When speaking of in terms of the Durgotsav or Durga Puja celebrations in the eastern, north eastern and some southern parts of India, Dussehra is popular under the sobriquet Bijoya Dashami. In this context, this day is dedicated to celebrating Goddess Durga’s victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura.

Although the significance changes, but the essence of both remain the same. That is, the Gods and Goddesses fought evil in order to restore and safeguard dharma as well as prove that it is truth, and only truth which is the ultimate conqueror. Since this victory was also achieved on the 10th day of the lunar Hindu calendar month, it came to be known as Vijayadashami. ‘Vijaya’ meaning ‘victory’ and ‘dashami’ meaning ‘on the tenth.’

Just like any other festival, Dussehra celebrations are also quite incomplete without good food. So, to make it easier for you, I am sharing a personalized compilation of simple, yet brilliant Dussehra Recipes in this post. These will surely make your celebrations much more than amazing!

More on Dasara Festival

Dasara Festival is celebrated under different names and with various rituals all over India, with much fanfare. But the ones that take place in Mysore in Karnataka, Kullu Valley in Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh are noteworthy. In Kullu region, the celebrations last for 7 days.

Whereas, in North and South India, the festivities are marked by melas (shopping fairs) and Ramlila – a traditional dramatic enactment of the life of Bhagwan Ram with the burning of huge effigies of Ravana along with his brothers Kumbhakarna and Meghnadh on the day of Dussehra. Thus, signifying their defeat, and victory of good over evil.  

No matter which region you are in, you can’t really complete the celebrations of Dasara Festival without indulging in some fabulous festive fare. Since this day is for celebrations and festivities, there are no set or defined rules for choosing a particular recipe to be made on this day. You can actually prepare any recipe that you and your family, friends are fond of.

85 Dussehra Recipes

This post of 85 Dussehra Recipes will make it all the more easy for you to decide on a delicious Dussehra menu. Since this festival is also about diversity, so is this signature collection of Dasara Recipes. I have handpicked and created this selection keeping in mind the ease with which a particular recipe can be prepared at home during these busy times.

This 85 Dussehra Recipes compilation is also super versatile and has a huge variety of easy to make dishes – ranging from some popular and some unique options in snacks, breakfast, main course, beverages and sweets or desserts. Be it a Bengali rasgulla and a North Indian jalebi or a South Indian payasam, murukku, etc. – in this list, you’ll get whatever your palate desires for on this day.

And just for the next festival, here are your recipes for Diwali Snacks and Diwali Sweets that you can check too.

Wishing all my readers a Happy and Joyful Dussehra this year, and the years to come!

Snacks Recipes

papaya sambharo recipe for fafda
30 minutes

Fafda Recipe

Fafda is a fried crispy crunchy tasty snack made with besan (gram flour), laced with carom seeds and black pepper. A popular Gujarati vegan snack.
hara bhara kabab recipe
Moderate 50 minutes

Easy Hara Bhara Kabab Recipe (Pan-fried & Baked Kabab)

Hara bhara kabab is made with fresh spinach leaves, green peas and potatoes. So they are nutritious as well as delicious. Hara bhara kebab makes for a good Indian starter or snack. This green kabab can also be stuffed in burger buns or sandwiches can be made from them. 
matar kachori recipe, peas kachori recipe
Moderate 1 hour

Matar Kachori

Matar ki kachori is a flaky, crispy deep-fried pastry filled with savory, spiced green peas stuffing. In the Hindi language, matar means green peas and Kachori is a deep-fried and flaky pastry.
45 degree angle shot of khaman dhokla squares on a white plate garnished with cilantro, curry leaves and the fried curry leaves and spices mixture
Easy 20 minutes

Fluffy Khaman Dhokla Recipe

This khaman or khaman dhokla recipe makes a wonderfully soft and fluffy, lightly sweet and savory cake that's perfect to enjoy anytime of the day. It's easy to prepare steamed on the stovetop or even in the Instant Pot with my instructions.
rava dhokla slices in a steel square plate.
Moderate 35 minutes

Rava Dhokla | Suji ka Dhokla

Rava dhokla is a soft, fluffy, steamed savory cake made from rava (suji or semolina or cream of wheat) together with herbs, spices, white sesame seeds and topped with coconut and coriander leaves
dal vada arranged neatly on a white plate next to a small white bowl of red chutney.
Moderate 2 hours 35 minutes

Dal Vada | Masala Vada | Parippu Vada

Dal Vada also known as Parippu Vada or Chana Dal Vada or Masala Vada are savory, spiced, crunchy fritters that are a popular street food in South India. Gluten-free and vegan.
closeup shot of aloo pakora arranged on a plate with slices of wheat bread on a square white plate
Moderate 25 minutes

Aloo Pakora

Aloo pakora are soft melt-in-the-mouth fried potato fritters coated in a delicious, golden, crispy gram flour batter. Make this awesome vegan potato snack also known as potato bajji in less than 30 minutes.
bread pakora recipe
Moderate 1 hour 5 minutes

Bread Pakora | Stuffed Punjabi Bread Pakora

Bread pakora is a popular North Indian snack of bread fritters. Bread slices are stuffed with spiced mashed potatoes filling, batter-coated and then deep-fried.
three aloo tikki kept vertically on a white plate with a spoon and a splash of coriander chutney on the plate.
Moderate 40 minutes

Aloo Tikki Recipe (Indian Potato Patties)

Aloo Tikki is a popular North Indian street food snack of savory, spiced and crispy potato patties. A basic Aloo Tikki Recipe is made with potatoes, spices, herbs, breadcrumbs or a binding flour and can be stuffed with a filling of mashed cooked green peas or cooked chana dal or paneer.
veg momos recipe
Moderate 1 hour 30 minutes

Momos Recipe | Veg Momos

Veg momos are steamed dumplings stuffed with a lightly spiced vegetable filling. A popular Tibetan recipe and also a popular North Indian street food.
manchurian or veg manchurian recipe
Moderate 1 hour

Manchurian Recipe | Chinese Veg Manchurian

Veg Manchurian recipe is a tasty Indo Chinese dish of fried veg manchurian balls in a spicy, sweet and tangy sauce. This delicious veg manchurian recipe is with a sauce or gravy. A vegan recipe.
white serving plate with 6 crispy fried veggie spring rolls garnished with green onions
Moderate 45 minutes

Spring Rolls | Crispy Veg Spring Roll Recipe

Veg Spring Rolls are a popular Chinese snack of crispy, crunchy rolls filled with a savory mix of vegetable stuffing. Hot handheld pockets of spiced veggies are wrapped and deep fried for a delightful snack.
dry chilli paneer recipe, chilli paneer dry recipe
Moderate 30 minutes

Dry Chilli Paneer (Street Style)

A truly spicy street style dry chilli paneer. Best served as a starter dish or a snack.
top shot of dry gobi manchurian served a white plate with chopsticks
Moderate 1 hour

Gobi Manchurian

Gobi Manchurian is a popular Indo Chinese starter or snack of batter coated and pan fried crispy cauliflower florets tossed in a spicy, umami, savory, sauce made with alliums, herbs, spices, soy sauce and tomato ketchup.
top shot of assembled dahi vada in a light green rimmed cream shallow plate topped with white curd, reddish tamarind chutney, green coriander chutney, pomegranate arils, chaat masala, cumin powder and coriander leaves
Moderate 8 hours 45 minutes

Dahi Vada Recipe (Authentic Recipe)

Fluffy, tender, tangy and sweet Dahi Vada are a combination of all your favorite flavors and textures in one tasty snack. Dahi Vada consist of homemade fried lentil dumpling fritters, dunked in creamy whipped yogurt and topped with both spicy and sweet chutneys.
pav bhaji dosa recipe
35 minutes

mumbai pav bhaji dosa

Pav bhaji dosa is a variation of dosa famous in Mumbai.
pani puri served on a white plate
Easy 35 minutes

Pani Puri

Pani puri is a popular Indian street food of crispy, fried, hollow dough balls that are stuffed with boiled potatoes, steamed moong sprouts, spicy tangy water and sweet chutney.
top shot of cooked and folded besan chillas on red plate with fresh coriander leaves garnished on top.
Easy 30 minutes

Besan Chilla Recipe (Besan ka Cheela)

Besan Chilla or Besan ka Cheela is a savory Indian pancake recipe made with gram flour (besan), onions, tomatoes, herbs and spices. You can add your favorite grated vegetables to make these more nutritious, and serve as a quick breakfast, brunch, or even as a late-night snack.
closeup shot of veg cutlet cutlet placed on a tray with a few slices of tomatoes, cucumber
Moderate 45 minutes

Cutlet Recipe | Indian Vegetable Cutlet

Vegetable Cutlet are crisp, savory, tender patties made with a mix of hearty veggies, savory spices, fresh herbs and crispy breadcrumbs. Cutlet is a popular snack in Indian cuisine.
veg puff recipe, curry puff recipe, vegetable puff recipe
Moderate 1 hour 10 minutes

Veg Puff Recipe | Indian Curry Puff

Make delicious bakery style Veg Puff with this classic Indian recipe. Also known as Curry Puff, the stuffing here is made with a mix veggie curry base flavored with aromatics, ground spices and a few herbs. The veggie curry filling goes well with a homemade puff pastry dough and also store-brought puff pastry sheets.

Breakfast Recipes

aloo puri recipe
Moderate 1 hour 15 minutes

Aloo Puri Recipe

This Punjabi Aloo Puri recipe is a traditional dish of a spiced Potato Curry (Aloo Sabzi) served with Puri. Both the Aloo Curry and the Puri (Indian fry bread) served together makes for a filling and satisfying meal.
chole bhature recipe
Moderate 9 hours 30 minutes

Chole Bhature | Chana Bhatura

Chole Bhature is a spicy chickpea curry that is served with leavened fried bread. Chole refers to the curry and Bhatura is the crispy and soft fried bread. This dish is popular in Punjab and parts of North India.
aloo kulcha in a white plate
Moderate 3 hours 10 minutes

Aloo Kulcha

Aloo Kulcha is a crisp and soft leavened flatbread stuffed with a spiced mashed potato filling. The dish is from the North Indian cuisine and is very popular in Delhi as well as Punjab.
dal pakwan recipe
Moderate 1 hour 30 minutes

Dal Pakwan Recipe

Dal Pakwan is a popular Sindhi breakfast recipe. This dish is basically a combination or pairing of the Dal served with Pakwan. The Dal is made with chana dal (bengal gram), spices and herbs. The Pakwan is a crispy deep fried bread flavored with a few spices.
aloo paratha folded and placed on a green ceramic plate on a dark bluish board, side of butter cubes.
Moderate 50 minutes

Aloo Paratha Recipe (Homemade Punjabi Style)

Punjabi aloo paratha is a popular Indian breakfast of unleavened whole wheat flatbread stuffed with a spiced potato stuffing. Learn to make these flavorful and tasty aloo paratha with my tried and tested family recipe.
overhead shot of gobi paratha in a white plate topped with two green chillies at the side
Moderate 50 minutes

Gobi Paratha

Cauliflower paratha is unleavened whole wheat flatbread stuffed with a spiced grated cauliflower filling. Gobi paratha is often made for breakfast in Punjabi homes as well as served in restaurants and Punjabi dhabas.
kanda poha or pohe in a white bowl with a lemon wedge and spoon.
Moderate 30 minutes

Poha Recipe | Kanda Poha (For Breakfast)

Poha recipe with its few versions like Kanda Poha, Batata Poha, Dadpe Pohe and Indori Poha – is a staple preparation with flattened rice, herbs and spices. The one with kanda means there’s onions in the recipe, and the batata one would be an extra addition of potatoes. This recipe has both and is an easy tasty poha that you can make for your everyday breakfast.
three idli on top of a layer of sambar in a white bowl
Moderate 9 hours 25 minutes

Idli Recipe (With Homemade Idli Batter)

Idli recipe with lots of tips and suggestions so that you can make soft and fluffy idli easily. This idli recipe post also details the method of making idli batter. It is a popular Indian breakfast which is filling as well as nutritious. 
rava idli served on a white plate.
Moderate 47 minutes

Rava Idli (Easy and No Fermentation)

Rava Idli are a quick, soft and fluffy idli variant that is made with rava or sooji or semolina, curd, spices and herbs. To leaven the batter, fruit salt (eno) or baking soda is used. Also referred to as Suji ki Idli, the recipe does not require any grinding or blending of the ingredients and fermentation.
masala dosa opened showing the potato masala stuffing in a white partitioned tray with sambar and coconut chutney.
Moderate 9 hours 30 minutes

Masala Dosa Recipe (South Indian Classic)

Masala dosa are crispy rice and lentil crepes stuffed with spiced and savory potato filling. They are a popular breakfast snack from the South Indian cuisine. This Masala Dosa recipe makes for crispy and soft crepes filled with a tasty potato stuffing.
misal served in a plate topped with farsan with a side of sliced lemons and chopped onions and buns.
Moderate 1 hour

Misal Pav (Misal Recipe)

Misal pav is a popular Maharashtrian street food of usal (sprouts curry) topped with onions, tomatoes, farsan (fried savory mixture), lemon juice, coriander leaves and served with soft pav (Indian dinner rills).
onion rava dosa recipe
Moderate 45 minutes

Onion Dosa (Hotel Style Recipe)

Easy hotel style Onion Dosa that are crispy as well as soft and lacy. The recipe is quick to make with a batter made of semolina, rice flour, all-purpose flour, onions, herbs and spices. No grind and no fermentation is required making this recipe a quick breakfast or brunch option.
ven pongal garnished with a cashew and curry leaves and served on a white plate.
Moderate 25 minutes

Ven Pongal Recipe | Khara Pongal | Ghee Pongal

Ven Pongal recipe also known as Khara Pongal or Ghee Pongal is a popular South Indian porridge like savory dish that is made with rice, yellow moong lentils and laced with the wonderful flavors of black peppercorns, cumin seeds, asafoetida, curry leaves and ghee.
Moderate 20 minutes

Sweet Pongal | Festive Sakkarai Pongal | Chakkara Pongal

Sweet Pongal also called Sakkarai Pongal or Chakkara Pongal in South Indian languages, is a creamy, sweet festive preparation of rice, moong lentils, jaggery and flavored with green cardamoms, cashews, raisins and ghee.
upma garnished with cilantro and a lemon wedge served in a dark green blue rimmed plate on a dark blue wooden board
Easy 30 minutes

Upma Recipe | Suji ka Upma | Rava Upma

Upma is a savory and flavorful South Indian breakfast made with cream of wheat (sooji or rava). It is also known as Rava upma. This upma recipe makes for a really delicious and tasty breakfast.
bombay veg sandwich dotted with green chutney and tomato ketchup on a white plate.
Moderate 35 minutes

Veg Sandwich Recipe | Bombay Sandwich Recipe

This Veg Sandwich Recipe is a popular Mumbai street food of flavorful and tasty sandwiches made with mix vegetables like beetroot, potato, tomato, onion and cucumber paired with butter, green chutney and a few ground spice powders. Also famous as the Bombay Sandwich, this is a sweet, salty, spicy and savory recipe filled with a flavor that will leave you wanting for more!
paneer bread roll served on a plate with some tomato ketchup on the side.
Moderate 25 minutes

Paneer Bread Roll

Paneer Bread Roll is a quick snack of a savory, spiced paneer stuffing filled in bread slices and made into rolls which are then baked. This recipe is made without onions and garlic.
set dosa recipe, sponge dosa recipe
Moderate 9 hours 30 minutes

Set Dosa | Soft Sponge Dosa Recipe

Set Dosa also called Sponge Dosa is very soft, light, spongy and fluffy dosa. These dainty small dosas are served in a set of three and thus referred to as Set Dosa.
poha idli recipe
9 hours 15 minutes

poha idli

Amazingly soft, light and fluffy aval idli made with poha (flattened rice), idli rice and urad dal.

Main Course Recipes

paneer butter masala served in a blue rimmed white pan, garnished with cream and cilantro
Moderate 40 minutes

Paneer Butter Masala Recipe (Restaurant Style)

Paneer Butter Masala Recipe is one of India’s most popular paneer preparation. This restaurant style recipe with soft paneer cubes dunked in a creamy, lightly spiced tomato sauce or gravy is a best one that I have been making for a long time. This rich dish is best served with roti or chapati, paratha, naan or rumali roti.
kadai paneer gravy recipe
Moderate 40 minutes

Homestyle Kadai Paneer Gravy

A slightly spicy and tangy curry recipe of Indian cottage cheese cooked with onions, tomatoes, bell peppers and freshly ground kadai masala in a kadai or wok.
close up shot of biryani on white plate on wooden table
Difficult 1 hour 30 minutes

Veg Biryani Recipe (Hyderabadi Vegetable Dum Biryani)

This Veg Biryani recipe is an authentic Indian dish packed full of your favorite rice, veggies, and spices. Made with patience and lots of love, this delicious veg dum biryani recipe requires both care and attention to detail. The savory flavors in your first bite are well worth the time and effort spent in the kitchen.
white plate with sections filled with punjabi chole masala, sliced onions, fresh lemon wedges and bhatura on a marble table-top.
Moderate 9 hours 45 minutes

Chana Masala Recipe | Punjabi Chole Recipe

One of the best Chana Masala Recipe that you can make. This Chole recipe is made with freshly powdered spices, onions, tomatoes, herbs making the curry taste like the ones you get on the streets of Delhi. 
overhead shot of rajma recipe in a blue rimmed white bowl on a jute cloth with a brass spoon and bowl with onion rounds and lemon wedges
Moderate 9 hours 45 minutes

Rajma Recipe | Rajma Chawal (Punjabi Rajma Masala)

This Rajma recipe is a creamy, tangy and spiced curry made with dried kidney beans. This restaurant style Rajma Masala is made in a base of sautéed onions, tomatoes, spices and cream making it truly delicious. Best served with steamed hot rice (called chawal) or soft roti or flaky paratha.
shahi paneer topped with some saffron strands and served in a white bowl with a spoon
Moderate 40 minutes

Shahi Paneer Recipe (Mughlai Style)

This Shahi Paneer is deliciously rich and creamy, making it one of the most popular recipes in Mughlai cuisine.
top shot of 3 malai kofta garnished with mint leaves in a silver serving dish with handles on a white marble
Difficult 1 hour 30 minutes

Malai Kofta Recipe (Restaurant Style Paneer Kofta)

Malai Kofta is a delicious recipe of fried balls of potato and paneer in a rich, lightly sweet, creamy mild gravy made with onions, tomatoes, cashews and spices. This melt-in-your-mouth recipe is a labor of love, but one that is well worth it.
close up shot of matar paneer on white rectangle plate on white marble table
Moderate 30 minutes

Matar Paneer Recipe | Punjabi Mutter Paneer

Matar Paneer is a popular North Indian curried dish featuring green peas and paneer (Indian cottage cheese) in a masala base of onions, tomatoes, cashews, spices and herbs. I’m sharing our family recipe of a flavorful and simple home-style Mutter Paneer. I have also shared making Matar Paneer in the Instant Pot and in a pan or pot on the stovetop.
easy veg pulao recipe in pressure cooker
40 minutes

40 Minutes Pressure Cooker Vegetable Pulao

Easy and quick vegetable pulao made in a pressure cooker in 40 minutes.
udupi sambar in a bowl with spoon
Moderate 50 minutes

Udupi Sambar Recipe

Udupi Sambar is a spiced, slightly sweet and tangy sambar made with pigeon pea lentils, mixed vegetables, tamarind and freshly ground udupi sambar masala paste.
dal tadka garnished with cilantro and a topped with fried red chilli with some fried cumin and some red colored oil in a small brass bucket on a light brown jute mat
Easy 30 minutes

Restaurant Style Dal Tadka Recipe

This restaurant style Dal Tadka recipe is of a smooth and creamy dal made with pigeon pea lentils (tur dal), onions, tomatoes, herbs and spices having a smoky charcoal flavor. Best served with steamed basmati rice or relished with roti or naan.
Close up photo of dal fry in a copper pan with a brass spoon inside placed on a small brass plate on a white marble board
Moderate 25 minutes

Dal Fry Recipe

Dal Fry is a delicious lentil or dal recipe popular in India that is made with tuvar dal (pigeon pea lentils), onions, tomatoes and spices. I share both the stovetop and Instant pot method to make this dal fry recipe.
dal makhani recipe
Moderate 9 hours

Dal Makhani Recipe (Authentic Punjabi Style)

This Dal Makhani recipe is a restaurant style version with subtle smoky flavors and creaminess of the lentils. Dal Makhani is one of the most popular lentil recipes from the North Indian cuisine made with whole urad dal (black gram) and kidney beans.
bhindi masala in a white bowl on a off white napkin
Moderate 45 minutes

Bhindi Masala Recipe (Punjabi Style)

Bhindi Masala recipe is a North Indian, Punjabi style curried dish made with tender okra pods, piquant onions, tangy tomatoes, bold spices and herbs. It is one of the most popular dishes served in many Indian restaurants.
mushroom masala garnished with coriander sprigs in a white bowl on a white board
Easy 50 minutes

Mushroom Masala | Mushroom Curry (Punjabi Style)

This Mushroom Masala recipe is an easy, delicious Punjabi style mushroom curry made with white button mushrooms in a spiced onion-tomato gravy.
overhead shot of tawa paneer with coriander leaves garnish in a white bowl on a cream linen
Moderate 30 minutes

Tawa Paneer

Tawa paneer is a semi dry curry with capsicum/bell pepper, onions, tomatoes and paneer cubes cooked on tawa or a griddle. A popular paneer dish served in restaurants.
palak paneer topped with cream, garnished with ginger julienne and served in an orange bowl on a white board
Moderate 40 minutes

Palak Paneer Recipe (Spinach Sauce With Paneer Cubes)

Palak Paneer that is delicious, smooth and creamy. This easy palak paneer recipe is made with fresh spinach leaves, paneer, onions, tomatoes, herbs and spices. This is one of the most popular North Indian dish.
pressure cooker biryani
1 hour 5 minutes

Pressure Cooker Vegetable Biryani (With coconut Milk)

This is an easy recipe method of a vegetable biryani made in a pressure cooker with coconut milk. No pre-cooking of veggies and rice.
litti chokha recipe
Moderate 1 hour 45 minutes

Litti Chokha Recipe | Litti Recipe

Litti Chokha is a rustic and traditional dish of stuffed whole wheat dough balls, where the stuffing is a spiced mix of roasted gram flour or roasted black chickpea flour also called sattu. I also share the recipes for Baingan Chokha (made with eggplant) and Tomato Chokha.
paneer lababdar in a black bowl with ginger juliennes on top.
Moderate 40 minutes

Paneer Lababdar (Restaurant Style Recipe)

Paneer Lababdar is an easy-to-prepare, restaurant-style curry of paneer (cottage cheese cubes) in a creamy, mildly tangy and faintly sweet gravy. This vegetarian Paneer Lababdar recipe is also naturally gluten-free.

Dussehra Sweets

jalebi in a basket
Moderate 15 hours 45 minutes

Jalebi Recipe | Best Homemade Jalebi Recipe

Jalebi are funnel-cake style fried spirals that are doused in a sweet sugar syrup for a delightful treat. This homemade jalebi recipe makes for crispy, crunchy, syrupy, juicy jalebi and is traditional method.
gulab jamun served in a white bowl.
Moderate 45 minutes

Perfect Gulab Jamun Recipe

Delicious Gulab Jamun Recipe made with khoya or mawa (milk solids,) paneer and sugar in the traditional way. Gulab Jamun is a popular Indian sweet and this recipe is the classic traditional method of making these treats.
besan ke laddu, besan ladoo
Moderate 30 minutes

Easy Besan ke Laddu Recipe

Besan Ladoo or Besan ke Laddu is a popular Indian sweet made during festivals. These are round sweet balls made with gram flour a.k.a besan, powdered sugar and clarified butter (ghee).
coconut ladoo placed in a circle and in the center on a white plate on a red table
Moderate 15 minutes

Coconut Ladoo Recipe | Nariyal ke Laddu Made In 3 Unique Ways

Make coconut ladoo with three recipes. The first one is a quick 3 ingredient recipe made with fresh coconut, milkmaid and cardamom powder. The second recipe has 2 ingredients – desiccated coconut and condensed milk. The third recipe is made with desiccated coconut and sugar.
badam halwa recipe, badam ka halwa recipe
Moderate 1 hour 5 minutes

Badam Halwa Recipe | Rich South Indian Almond Halwa

Badam ka halwa is a rich, luxuruous and popular South Indian style delicious halwa made with blanched almonds, ghee and sugar. This recipe gives you one of best almond halwa that you can make.
seviyan kheer served in a glass bowl with text layover.
Easy 20 minutes

Seviyan Kheer | Vermicelli Kheer

This creamy seviyan kheer is a North Indian sweet made with wheat vermicelli, milk, sugar, dry fruits and flavored with spices. This incredibly easy recipe of semiya kheer comes together in 20 minutes and makes for an excellent dessert or sweet.
rice kheer recipe
Moderate 50 minutes

Kheer Recipe | Rice Kheer

Rice Kheer is a popular Indian sweet dessert made with basmati rice, whole milk, nuts and saffron. Kheer recipe is easy and is made with a one pan or one pot method. Rice Kheer is basically Indian rice pudding and makes for a creamy delicious sweet dessert. 
sheer khurma garnished with some saffron strands and rose petals in a white bowl
Moderate 30 minutes

Sheer Khurma Recipe

Sheer khurma is a rich creamy pudding made with vermicelli, milk, dates, nuts, dry fruits, sugar and ghee. 'Sheer' means milk and 'khurma' refers to dates in Persian language.
paal payasam garnished with dried rose petal chiffonade in a brass bowl with text layovers.
Moderate 1 hour

Paal Payasam | Rice Payasam

Paal Payasam is a simple South Indian variant of a slow cooked rice pudding made with only 4 ingredients. This recipe is of a typical Tamil style Rice Payasam that is creamy and delicious.
overhead shot of gajar halwa or carrot halwa filled in a bronze bowl placed on a bronze plate
Moderate 1 hour 10 minutes

Gajar Ka Halwa | Traditional Carrot Halwa Recipe

A Carrot Halwa recipe made in the traditional way and slow-cooked – with just grated carrots, whole milk, ghee, sugar and some nuts. You will love this evergreen and popular Gajar ka Halwa recipe. Make this rich sweet for special occasions or during festivals.
closeup shot of rava kesari served in dark green plate.
Moderate 25 minutes

Kesari Recipe | Perfect Rava Kesari Recipe

Rava Kesari is a popular South Indian pudding like sweet that is made with rava or suji (semolina), ghee, cashews, raisins, sugar, water and saffron. This Kesari recipe gives you a really delicious melt in the mouth sweet that can be made in less time.
suji halwa recipe
Moderate 15 minutes

Suji ka Halwa Recipe (Sheera Recipe)

Suji ka halwa or Sheera is a classic Indian semolina pudding made with sugar, ghee and dry fruits. The recipe I have shared is a family heirloom recipe. We have been making this suji halwa recipe for decades during family get togethers, special occasions & festivals. The sooji halwa recipe can be easily halved, doubled or tripled.
kaju katli stacked spirally
Moderate 20 minutes

Kaju Katli Recipe | Kaju Barfi

These Kaju Katli are the way they are actually meant to be – thin, smooth, melt in the mouth slices of cashew goodness. A popular Indian sweet made with cashews, sugar and water.
overhead shot of two rasgulla with syrup in a glass bowl
Moderate 40 minutes

Rasgulla Recipe | How to make Soft Rasgulla

Rasgulla is a popular Bengali sweet and is also called as rosogolla. This Bengali rasgulla recipe will guide you in making soft and spongy rasgulla.
motichoor ladoo recipe, motichur laddu recipe, motichoor ke ladoo recipe
Moderate 30 minutes

Motichur Laddu (Motichoor ke Ladoo)

Motichur laddu are soft, delish melt in the mouth ladoo made mainly with gram flour, sugar, and spices.. One of the most popular Indian sweet.
4 balls of rasmalai in an oblong white serving dish covered with thickened milk and garnished with sliced almonds and saffron threads
Moderate 50 minutes

Rasmalai Recipe | Rasmalai Sweet

Rasmalai is a popular Bengali sweet of Indian cottage cheese (chenna or paneer) balls or discs soaked in thickened, sweetened milk that has been scented with cardamom and saffron. A creamy, melt in your mouth Indian dessert sweet.
closeup shot of malpua with rabdi served in a oval plate
Moderate 1 hour

Malpua Recipe (Classic Homemade Sweet)

Malpua is a traditional and popular Indian sweet of pan fried or shallow fried flour pancakes dipped in sugar syrup and served with rabdi or sweetened thickened milk. These crispy and fluffy pancakes are made with all-purpose flour, curd (yogurt), spices, khoya (dried milk solids) and topped with nuts.
squares of kalakand laid out on a piece of parchment
Easy 20 minutes

Kalakand Recipe | Kalakand Sweet

This two-ingredient, super fast recipe for Kalakand (a.k.a. Indian Milk Cake) comes together in just 15 minutes thanks to the help of a can of sweetened condensed milk.
shahi tukda in a white oblong serving plate with a bowl of homemade rabri
Moderate 1 hour 30 minutes

Shahi Tukda Recipe | Traditional Shahi Tukra Sweet

Shahi Tukda is a rich, royal, indulgent and popular dessert from the Mughlai Cuisine. It is made of ghee fried bread slices that are soaked in rose & cardamom scented sugar syrup that are topped with fragrant, creamy, sweetened, thickened milk (a.k.a rabdi) that is flavored with exotic saffron. It is garnished with nuts like almonds, pistachios, cashews and sometimes even edible silver leaf (varak).
coconut burfi slices on a white platter with a rakhi in the background.
Moderate 1 hour 25 minutes

Coconut Burfi | Nariyal ki Barfi

This Coconut Burfi is a delish, melt in the mouth fudge made with sweetened condensed milk, milk, and desiccated coconut. 
closeup picture of thick slice of pressure cooker cake on white plate.
Moderate 1 hour

Cooker Cake | Eggless Pressure Cooker Cake

Eggless sponge cake recipe made in cooker with step by step photos. Spongy and a soft, light textured delicious egg free sponge cake recipe made in a pressure cooker.

Beverages Recipes

dry fruits milkshake recipe in a glass on a marbled surface
Easy 35 minutes

Dry Fruit Milkshake Recipe

Healthy, refreshing, and energy-boosting, this dry fruit milkshake recipe is the perfect beverage to give you a quick boost throughout the day! It includes dried fruits, nuts, and plant-based milk making it a great gluten-free and vegan option.
sweet lassi topped with crushed cardamom powder and saffron in two tall glasses
Easy 10 minutes

Lassi Recipe (3 Delicious Variations)

Lassi is a cooling, refreshing, probiotic drink perfect for the warm summer months made essentially with curd or yogurt, fragrant spices and sugar or salt. Popular in Punjab and North India, there are many variations of this sweet lassi recipe. Find three easy, energizing and flavorful lassi recipe variations.
jaljeera recipe, jal jeera recipe
Moderate 20 minutes

Jaljeera Recipe

Jaljeera is an Indian spiced, tangy and savory cooling drink, which is also served as an appetizer. This North Indian, non-alcoholic, vegan beverage is made with water, cumin and other amazing spices and herbs.
filter coffee recipe, filter kaapi recipe
Easy 15 minutes

Filter Coffee

Easy to prepare and popular South Indian filter coffee or filter kaapi made in just 15 minutes.
masala chai in white cup on brown board
Easy 10 minutes

Masala Chai Recipe | Indian Milk Tea

Masala Chai or Indian Masala Tea is an Indian spiced tea made with whole spices, water, black tea and milk. A perfect drink for your breakfast or evening time.

This Dussehra Recipes post from the archives first published in September 2013 has been updated and republished on October 2022.

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Meet Dassana

Welcome to Dassana's Veg Recipes. I share vegetarian recipes from India & around the World. Having been cooking for decades and with a professional background in cooking & baking, I help you to make your cooking journey easier with my tried and tested recipes showcased with step by step photos & plenty of tips & suggestions.

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20 Comments

  1. I thank very much for the team for their wonderful work on this blog..really its a good blog where each and every state of Indian recipes are found easily with picture details on how to prepare ..by following this i made recipes same as in restaurant no need to go for outside food..its healthy food recipes and easy to prepare at home..save money eat healthy..health is wealth ..once again thanks a lot

    1. thankyou priya for such a sweet, positive and honest comments means a lot to us 🙂 god bless you.

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