Surat, October 6: The diamond city of Surat turns into a city of sweets every year during Sharad Purnima, as thousands indulge in its most iconic delicacy — Ghari. This year, the festive spirit reached new heights with the arrival of luxurious Gold Ghari, priced at an astonishing ₹14,000 per kilogram.
A Sweet Tradition Rooted in History
The tradition of making Ghari dates back to 1838, when Devshankar Shukla created this energy-packed sweet for freedom fighters. Later, it became famous after being served to Tatya Tope and his soldiers following the 1857 rebellion. Over time, Ghari evolved from a battle-time energy snack into a symbol of Surat’s cultural and culinary pride.
Today, Sharad Purnima — also celebrated as Chandi Padwa — sees lakhs of people in Surat and abroad relishing Ghari. From traditional varieties to new experimental flavours, the city’s sweet shops prepare thousands of kilos in anticipation of this one night when the moon shines its brightest.
The Rise of ‘Gold Ghari’
Adding luxury to tradition, Surat’s sweet makers have introduced Gold Ghari — a version infused with edible gold. According to sweet maker Gaurang Sukhadia, owner of S. Motiram, this special variant was first launched during the COVID-19 period.
“Ghari was originally made as an energy booster for soldiers. We started making Gold Ghari during the pandemic, and despite high gold prices, the demand remains strong,” Sukhadia said.
Each kilogram of Gold Ghari costs around ₹14,000, meaning a single piece is worth about ₹1,400. For those with a smaller budget, there are silver, Kunafa, and Biscoop variants — priced between ₹1,800 and ₹2,500 per kg.
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A Global Sweet Craze
The demand for Surat’s Ghari has now gone global. Orders pour in from countries such as the USA, Australia, Bahrain, Dubai, the UK, and Canada. Sukhadia’s shop alone reports a turnover of nearly ₹5 million every year from Ghari sales.
“We cater to every customer — from those who want premium Gold Ghari to those who prefer traditional flavours. Everyone looks forward to this festival,” Sukhadia added.
Local customer Sharad Joshi shared, “I wait all year for this. The quality is amazing, and trying different types of Ghari — especially the Gold one — makes Sharad Purnima feel special.”
What Makes Ghari So Special
The richness of Surati Ghari lies in its ingredients — a luxurious blend of mewa, almonds, pistachios, saffron, cardamom, and pure ghee. Shaped into small rounds and filled with creamy mawa, the sweet is fried and coated with sugar, symbolising prosperity and celebration.
During Sharad Purnima, believed to be the most spiritually charged night of the year, people also prepare kheer and leave it under the moonlight to absorb divine blessings — a ritual believed to fill life with peace and health.
As the moonlight glows over Surat tonight, the aroma of freshly made Ghari fills the air. Whether it’s the golden luxury version or the traditional sweet, one thing is certain — Ghari continues to define the festive flavour of Surat.
