From ariselu to janthikallu: Nostalgic telugu Sankranthi goodies that taste like home

As we enter the New Year with a bang, let’s remember that the festivities are far from over, as another major festival that Vizagites eagerly await the entire year is yet to come! The three-day festival, which starts with the warm and comforting Bhogi, followed by Sankaranthi and then Pongal, is celebrated grandly across South India. Several parts of Andhra Pradesh also celebrate Kanuma, a fourth festival on the day after Pongal. During this festival, Indian homes are filled with the aromas of delicious, mouth-watering dishes such as payasam, pulihora, gaarilu, and countless other Sankranthi sweets and festive foods, with the list feeling almost endless. Here is a list of nostalgic traditional Telugu Sankranthi goodies that we all love:

An intricate sweet delicacy originating from East Godavari, this sweet is a combination of delicate paper-like rice starch sheets layered in a rich coating of powdered sugar or jaggery, fried fruit, and ghee.

Where to find: Swagruha Sweets, Shiva Rama Sweets

This crunchy snack, originating from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, is also known as Murukku or Chakali in some regions. This deep-fried savoury snack, known for its spiralling design and addictive taste, is prepared during Sankranthi and Diwali. It also makes for a good tea-time snack.

Where to find: Swagruha Sweets, Hot Chips

This festive pancake is a combination of rice flour and jaggery, deep-fried in ghee and is topped with sesame seeds. A celebrated sweet, ariselu, is common during Sankranthi and Vara Lakshmi Pooja.

Where to find: Sarvani Sweets

Popular in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, this flavourful rice dish balances the sourness of tamarind with the heat of green and red chillies, the nuttiness of peanuts, and aromatic additions like curry leaves and lentils. Served across most temples, this significant dish is served in religious events and festivals.

Where to find: Rasapurna, Swagruha Sweets.