Jumbo ‘jalebi’ to mark Narendra Modi’s birthday highlights India’s favourite celebratory snack

The popular spiral-shaped crispy orange snack is not just for special occasions – some use it to treat ailments, and it has even inspired a hairstyle

Jalebi came to India from Persia 500 years ago and the dessert is popular across South Asia, with some chefs even serving it as a savoury dish

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Fresh jalebis at a street stall. Unlike other Indian sweets, which are largely milk-based, this snack is made by deep-frying a batter made of flour, yogurt, cardamom powder and saffron, which is then dipped in a sweet syrup. Photo: Pradeep Chamaria

Published: 12:19pm, 23 Sep 2021Updated: 2:26pm, 23 Sep 2021

When Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated his 71st birthday recently, several Hindu temples marked the occasion by preparing “jumbo” batches of jalebi – the famous crispy, crunchy and sweet Indian snack.

Their versions of the bright orange dessert were made to weigh 71kg and distributed to devotees to honour Modi.

But jalebi is not just a celebratory food for special occasions such as weddings and temple events. It is even considered a treatment for a range of ailments. Its spirals remind some of the human intestine and grandmothers have been known to advise youngsters to eat hot jalebi along with a glass of warm milk to cure anything from headaches to intestinal problems or skin diseases.

Jalebi and rabri is popular across South Asia and beyond. Photo: Pradeep Chamaria

The popular snack came to India in the 15th century, brought by Persian traders from what is now Iran.

The name originated from the ancient Sanskrit word jalvallika, meaning full of water, or thick sugar syrup, said George Mathew, the food and beverage manager of the Holiday Inn Hotel in Gurugram, a global outsourcing hub near New Delhi.