A vegetarian tradition

For chef Gaurav Gidwani of Indian Aroma, Diwali means maintaining a few traditions his Sindhi-Punjabi family has been observing since he was a kid. "Because we have Lakshmi puja at home, only vegetarian fare is made. The fixed menu includes suran ki sabzi, alu-matar puri and kheer. For the puja, we offer any kind of safed mithai, be it kheer, peda or badam ki barfi, etc, along with a pomegranate cracked by hand," shares the chef. Keeping the pandemic in mind, he has planned a low-key affair at his Andheri home, inviting only his close friends. "There'll be the suran ki sabzi, alu-matar and puri, and maybe a bhindi ki sabzi, along with mithai. We keep the food sattvic."