Diwali is a time of celebration and apart from the oil lights and candles which decorate homes, the pooja and the prayers, special sweets, savories and snacks are central to the festival. A sure way of delighting dear ones is to send them their favorite sweets on Diwali. It is also the perfect time for satisfying your desires for sweets as you can find all kinds of delicious sweets all around you.

A nation known for its sweet tooth, India offers a myriad variety of sweets. However, there are some sweets which have become cosmopolitan in nature and loved by people across the nation. Each region of India has its own traditional variety of sweets and cuisines made specifically for this festival. There are plenty of gift packages offered by popular sweet shops making sweets not just for self-consumption but for gifting as well.

Sweets form a significant part of the Lakshmi and Ganesh pooja conducted on Diwali. The Gods are offered different types of Mithai as `prashaad' which are then distributed among family members and friends. Entertaining family and friends is a large part of Diwali, so every home needs to be prepared to provide tasty nibbles for guests at a moment's notice.

The festival of lights is not merely a celebration with decorations and illuminations. It is also a festival that is made complete with mouth watering delicacies prepared especially for the event. Diwali sweets gain prominence as an integral part of the festivities.

The custom of preparing Diwali sweets is time honored and has its roots to the days of the kings where a sweet preparation made out of milk and wheat were distributed. Very large quantities of sweets used to be prepared in order to distribute them to the masses. In recent times, people mostly procure them from well known outlets while a few others prefer to make them at home. Diwali dishes take a different meaning when they are made at home especially as a team event with all the ladies of the house working towards an elaborate platter of homemade Diwali sweets.

Diwali sweets are so much sought after that it is easy to buy them online as well. With the communication and technology advancement and the growing awareness of online shopping, it is now possible to be out of the country and send Diwali gifts and sweets to India. The online shopping sites have much to offer well within your choice and budget.

Few families like to try out the latest type of Diwali sweets while few stick to the tried and tested variety of Diwali sweets. Most well known Diwali sweets includes rasgullas, gulab jamun, Kajukatlis and a host of other sweets made out of milk and flour and decorated with dry fruits and nuts. For the festive occasion of Diwali, they are arranged in special sweet boxes which are often accompanied with Diwali greeting cards that carry special messages for loved ones. Combo gifts are the latest trends and Diwali combo gifts often have a box of Diwali sweets along with other exclusive gifts. The range of gifts is inexplicable so are the rituals and traditions innate to Diwali.

Diwali in India is a perfect time of indulging in great fun, joy and laughter and also the ideal time for Diwali recipes to take a center-stage. Diwali is known to be a festival of sweets as the sweets form an integral part of any food, no matter in what part of the country. Thus the majority of Diwali recipes. revolve around Diwali sweets and the best part about them are that these are very easy to prepare. Kheer is the most common dessert among the Indians prepared at the time of all the major festivals and celebrations. Mitha Khaja is an Indian recipe, which is cooked in many households at the time of Diwali. Lapsee Prepared at the time of almost all the grand festivals in almost all parts of north India.

Diwali is synonymous with sweets. Diwali is also a time for family reunions, lighted diyas, colorful rangoli and mouth-watering sweets - all symbolic of the happy occasion. What better way to make the Diwali special than by cooking up a delectable platter of Diwali sweets for the very special occasion? Besides, illuminating the surroundings with glittering diyas, it is a time to light up smiles on the faces of those you love and admire.