Health benefits of Indian cuisine in the ‘Holi’ festival of color — Dr. Chanchal Sharma
The importance of colors in the festival of Holi is not hidden from anyone, but there is another speciality of this festival, and that is the homemade dishes. In the winter season, the fury of bile increases in the human body; therefore, hunger feels good; whatever you eat and drink is easily digested. In autumn, a weak person also becomes fat, while in summer, a healthy person also starts looking thin. Because the accumulation of Vata in the body increases in the summer. This Vata is the king of all diseases; there is no disease in the body without it. Diwali, Holi, and Dussehra are celebrated during the winter season. In all these festivals, desi ghee, sweets, malpua, gujiya, gulgule, sonth, tulsi, fenugreek and gond ladoos, urad, soya-fenugreek paranthas, etc. are eaten a lot. Because all of them are dominated by ghee and oil. Which works especially well for relieving constipation. That is why, in our culture, there is a tradition of eating various dishes on these festivals.
The day of Holi marks the beginning of a new Samvat; according to mythological beliefs, Manu and Kamadeva were born on this day, so its importance increases even more. Kamadeva is worshiped for awakening love in the relationship of man and woman and for fulfilling the wish to have a child and other desires with the help of kama instinct. It is celebrated in different forms in almost every part of India, and the taste of the dishes made in every region of the country, their fragrance, and the enthusiasm of the children increases it. There are some dishes without which the taste of Holi seems incomplete. We are going to discuss some such delicious Indian dishes here, as well as their special significance in this festival.
Traditional dishes
Malpua: As soon as the name of Holi is heard, the taste of Malpua begins to dissolve in the mouth. Malpua contains dry fruits such as banana, fennel, ghee, flour, etc., due to which it proves to be beneficial for our health and also increases our immunity in the changing weather.
Dahi vada of moong dal: According to Ayurveda, the properties of urad dal and curd are different, so it can be harmful to your health. You can make it from moong dal instead and taste it because moong dal is rich in many nutrients and is also easy to digest. Moong dal is rich in vitamin B9 and folic acid, which increase the production of red blood cells in your body. It is good for people suffering from heart disease and diabetes.
Gujiya: If the sweetness of gujiya is not found in Holi, then everything seems to fade, but due to the high calories, eating gujiya can also be harmful to health. According to old belief, it is famous to make gujiya in Holi to offer Bhog to Lord Krishna in Braj. If you want, you can bake gujiya, and because of the presence of cardamom, ghee, coconut, cashew, khoya, etc. in it, it becomes rich in fiber, antioxidants, and minerals, which will be beneficial for your health.
Thandai: The tradition of drinking water on the day of Holi has been going on for centuries. Thandai is made with a mixture of milk, dry fruits, rose petals, and spices. Drinking thandai cools your body and mind. It strengthens the digestive system, thereby relieving problems like gas, acidity, and constipation in the stomach. Not only this, but the nutrients present in it provide instant energy to the body.
Puran Poli: Puran Poli is a major dessert dish of Maharashtra that is also prepared and eaten on the occasion of Holi. By consuming it, the weakness of the body is removed, and the body also gains strength. Puran Poli is made by mixing jaggery and dal, which is very beneficial to the body. Consumption of puran poli increases the hemoglobin in the body and also strengthens the digestive system.
Dr. Chanchal Sharma, Gynecologist and Infertility expert at Asha Ayurveda, said that in the country of festivals, every religious belief has a special reason, and the joy of a festival like Holi increases even more by joining each other’s happiness with love. This Holi, along with colors, takes special care of your diet and health by including the flavors of Indian cuisine in a good, nutritious diet.
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