In the quiet lanes of old Pune and the bustling chawls of Girgaon in old Mumbai, Diwali mornings once began with the hiss of hot oil and the gentle clatter of wooden chakali presses. Aaji and Aai would sit on low stools, their sarees tucked neatly, hands moving in rhythm as they pressed perfect spirals of dough onto a thali. Children would hover nearby, eyes wide with anticipation, waiting for the first batch to come out golden and crisp. The aroma of freshly fried chakali mingled with the scent of burning diyas and rangoli colours on the floor. For Maharashtrian homes, this was Diwali, a celebration that started not just with lights but with food that carried tradition and meaning.

Why We Eat Chakali at Diwali?

Chakali is not just a snack. It is the heartbeat of Maharashtrian Diwali Faral. Made from bhajani flour, a traditional mix of rice, chana dal, urad dal, and moong dal, spiced with sesame seeds, ajwain, red chilli and hing, chakali represents abundance, warmth and togetherness. It is prepared before the first diya is lit, packed into steel boxes and offered to guests and neighbours. In many homes, it is also offered to the deities as naivedya before being shared with the family. The spiral shape signifies continuity, prosperity and the endless circle of joy that Diwali brings. Eating chakali is a sensory reminder of celebration, a crunchy bite that tastes like home, tradition and community.

How do We Eat Chakali?

Every Maharashtrian has their own special way of enjoying chakali. Some pair it with garam chai on a cool Diwali morning, some serve it with poha or upma during the festive days, and others simply keep a box ready on the centre table for anyone who walks in. Children love to break it apart and nibble piece by piece, while elders relish it whole with a smile of satisfaction. It is a snack that crosses generations, linking grandparents, parents and children through the same familiar taste.

What Chakali Symbolises to Maharashtrians?

To Maharashtrians, chakali symbolises more than just food. Its spiral represents continuity and unity. Its spices speak of warmth and energy. Its presence in the Faral platter stands for completeness, because no Diwali spread feels whole without it. In old Pune, neighbours would exchange boxes or faralacha dabba of home-made chakali as a sign of goodwill. In old Mumbai, workers returning from mills would carry packets of chakali back to their chawls to share with friends. Even today, gifting chakali is a way of saying “We remember you. We share our joy with you.”

The Queen of Diwali Faral

While every item in the Faral has its own place, Chakali holds a special crown. It is the first snack that people look for when the Diwali boxes open. It is the crisp, spicy contrast to the sweetness of karanji and laddus. It is the snack that survives travel, stays crunchy for days, and can be shared without fuss. That is why chakali is often called the Queen of Diwali Faral, because without her, the platter feels incomplete.