Hello, friends! All food lovers and the community @indiaunited! As a food lover and creator, I enjoy sharing my favorite food experiences. As Indians, we embrace many cultures and traditions in our cuisine. Each region of our country has its own unique dishes, and everyone has their personal favorites.
Having been born in India, I grew up surrounded by a variety of delicious foods and diverse cultures in my neighborhood, which gave me knowledge about the quality of cuisine from the east to the west and the south to the north. We learned that Anna Parbrahma (meaning Food is the Supreme Reality) and developed a deep respect for the food, the cook, and the growers. So I like the food that comes in front of me(no red meat), but I like the food that looks good and tastes good. I rarely eat outside food, so I don’t judge commercially prepared meals.
Moving to the Western world was a significant cultural shock for me. However, learning about different foods and choosing the foods that my body enjoys wasn't difficult. I am a non-vegetarian and love a variety of fish and chicken dishes prepared in many different ways. Living in a Western country has exposed me to cuisines like Italian, American, and Middle Eastern. But still, for me, nothing compares to our traditional Indian festive thali.
I love and like our traditional Indian thalis. Every region features this thali system, where different foods are systematically placed on one platter. During festival times, each family has its own cherished recipes for various celebrations. However, the Ganesh Festival is the most significant occasion celebrated across the country. It is a deeply spiritual time, and the food prepared as offerings to the deity is exceptionally delightful. Each day during the festival, different thalis filled with delicious food are prepared. If you’ve ever experienced this, you know how special it is.
However, I always look forward to my festive thalis, especially the ones prepared for the Ganesh Festival. In my opinion, the thali made during this festival is the best food ever!
In my region, the thali is prepared with plain rice, varan (non-spicy dal with lots of ghee), masala rice, one green leafy vegetable, mixed root vegetable, one spicy sprouted lentil, salad, pickle, raita, purris, puran poli, kheer (porridge), modak, pakkoda and many more side dishes.
I don't have any photo of a proper thali, but I found these photos of mini thalis in my archive; one of them may be similar to the one I posted in a recipe post in the Plantpower community.
I have many reasons why I like this festive thali/food:
It is balanced and provides the necessary nutrients for our bodies.
It incorporates all the tastes required for our body to function, based on Ayurvedic principles.
The food is predominantly sattvic, promoting purity and harmony.
It is made from seasonal ingredients, which enhance its nutritional value.
It is prepared in a spiritual atmosphere that enriches the cooking process.
It carries positive vibrations, contributing to a healthier experience.
Most importantly, it is created with dedication and love. When food is made with care and good energy, it booster healthy body, calms the mind, and nourishes the soul.
During the festival season, I have experienced the joy of every meal or thali after it has been offered to God. This is why my favorite food is the Indian festive thali.
The thali brings back many childhood memories. During festival time, our entire family, around 25 to 30 members, would gather to enjoy each other's company, engage in prayers, worship God, and savor delicious food. The ladies of the family prepared the dishes with care and love, while the children played joyfully with their cousins and siblings. One of the happiest moments was sitting all together on the floor and eating food on the banana leaves; it was such a fun and special experience.
Nowadays, I prepare mini thalis with a limited selection of dishes, but for the Ganesh festival, I create traditional thalis.
Thank you.
