Tamil Nadu Vegetarian Deepavali Special Lunch Menu | Traditional Diwali Food Menu For Lunch

Jump To Recipe

I wish a very happy, healthy, and prosperous Diwali (Deepavali) to all my readers. Diwali (Deepavali) will be celebrated on November 12th, 2023. Have a safe and joyous Diwali (Deepavali).

Tamil Nadu Vegetarian Deepavali Special Lunch Menu | Traditional Diwali Food Menu For Lunch

Traditional Diwali Food Menu For Lunch | Vegetarian Deepavali Lunch Menu 2023 | Diwali Special Lunch Menu 2023 | Easy Diwali Food Menu | தீபாவளி ஸ்பெஷல் சிறப்பு சைவ விருந்து | Diwali Special VEG lunch menu | Festival Special Grand Lunch Menu | Tamil Virundhu Recipes | Tamil Nadu Thali Recipes | Tamil Valai Ilai Sapadu

TABLE OF CONTENTS

About - Tamil Nadu Deepavali Celebration and Vegetarian Lunch Feast

Diwali, also known as Deepavali in Tamil Nadu, India, is a significant and much-awaited festival of lights that brings immense joy and excitement to people across the country. It is a time for celebration, togetherness, and creating cherished memories with loved ones. One of the essential parts of Diwali is the grand festive feast served on this occasion, which is an integral part of Hindu tradition.

In Hindu families, the custom of serving the festival food on a banana leaf is followed, and it is a joy to sit together with family and friends and indulge in the delicious spread. The grand festive feast is a perfect blend of traditional and modern cuisine, and each family has its unique way of preparing and presenting the dishes. There are various variations to the menu depending on the region and culture, but in Tamil homes, they follow a special menu for Diwali.

The menu is thoughtfully curated and includes an array of mouth-watering dishes prepared with utmost care and love. From starters to desserts, every dish is carefully crafted to ensure that breakfast, lunch, or dinner is a culinary delight for everyone. The traditional dishes prepared during Diwali have their significance, and each dish has a story to tell. The grand feast is not just about the food, but it is also a way of expressing love, gratitude, and respect towards one's family and friends.

In this post, you will find easy and delicious vegetarian lunch menu ideas for Deepavali, prepared in traditional and vibrant Tamil Nadu style.

பாரம்பரிய தமிழ் தீபாவளி ஸ்பெஷல் சைவ விருந்து | Tamil Nadu Style Diwali Special Vegetarian Lunch Menu

Celebrating Deepavali in Tamil Nadu is an experience that involves a culinary journey. Food takes centre stage during this festival of lights and the vegetarian lunch menu is a feast for the senses. The main course consists of plain boiled rice, millet-based rice, or any native rice variety like mappillai samba rice, accompanied by an extensive array of dishes. The accompaniments include a warm and comforting sambar (stew), a spicy and flavorful kulambu (curry), a peppery and nutritious rasam, a delicious and healthy poriyal (stir fry), a crunchy and tasty varuval (fry), a creamy and nutritious kootu, tangy and flavorful oorugai (pickle), refreshing and cooling mor (buttermilk), crispy and addictive appalam (papad), and finally, mouth-watering sweets like payasam, kheer, or sweet pongal. The variety of rice dishes and one-pot rice dishes served alongside the main course, such as lemon rice, curd rice, or coriander rice, adds to the richness of the meal and the overall experience of celebrating Deepavali.

The lunch items in Tamil Nadu vary district by district, despite most customs remaining the same throughout the state. Here are some of the popular sweet treats and speciality dishes from this blog.

Tamil Nadu Vegetarian Deepavali Special Lunch Menu | Traditional Diwali Food Menu For Lunch

Tamil Nadu Deepavali (Diwali) Lunch Main Course

As I already mentioned, the main course consists of plain boiled rice, millet-based rice, or any native rice variety like mappillai samba rice, accompanied by an extensive array of dishes.

Mappillai Samba Sadam | Mappillai Samba Rice Recipe

🔗Mappillai Samba Sadam | Mappillai Samba Rice Recipe

Tamil Nadu Diwali Special Lunch Side Dishes/Accompaniments

Tamil Nadu's lunch dishes are typically served with a variety of accompaniments, including sambar, kulambu, chutney, and vegetable dishes like fry, stir fry, or deep fry, as well as fritters and sweets.

Diwali Special Sambar, Rasam and Kulambu

Different varieties of sambar, rasam and kuzhambu are served as the main accompaniment to rice.

Chettinad Karunai Kilangu Kulambu

🔗Chettinad Karunai Kilangu Kulambu

Vatha Kulambu | Manathakkali Vathal Kuzhambu

🔗Vatha Kulambu | Manathakkali Vathal Kuzhambu

Murungai Keerai Sambar | Drumstick Leaves Sambar | Keerai Sambar

🔗Murungai Keerai Sambar | Drumstick Leaves
Sambar

Thuthuvalai Rasam Recipe | Thoothuvalai Rasam Recipe | Purple Fruited Pea Eggplant Rasam Recipe | Climbing Brinjal Leaves Rasam

🔗Thuthuvalai (Thoothuvalai) Rasam | Purple Fruited Pea Eggplant Rasam

Diwali Special Chutney For Lunch

Chutney is known as thogayal or thuvaiyal in Tamil. Thogayal served as an accompaniment to rice.

Pachai Payaru Thuvaiyal | Green Gram Chutney

🔗Pachai Payaru Thuvaiyal | Green Gram Chutney

Vazhakkai Chutney | Raw Banana Chutney

🔗Sutta Vazhakkai Thogayal | Smoked Raw Banana Chutney

Diwali Special Kootu Recipes

A traditional South Indian dish called Kootu is a delectable blend of protein-rich lentils and a variety of fresh vegetables or greens, cooked to perfection and seasoned with an aromatic tempering of spices a herbs.

Vazhakkai Kootu/Raw Banana Lentil Kootu

🔗Vazhakkai Kootu/Raw Banana Lentil Kootu

Peerkangai Kootu/Ridge Gourd Lentil Kootu

🔗Manathakkali Keerai Kootu | Black Nightshade Leaves Kootu

Diwali Special Poriyal Recipes

One of the most beloved stir fry dishes in South India, particularly Tamil Nadu and Kerala, is the delectable Poriyal. This easy-to-prepare and fast stir-fry recipe is a healthy and comforting side dish that perfectly complements any South Indian lunch meal. With its aromatic blend of spices, tender vegetables, and fresh herbs, Poriyal is sure to tantalize your taste buds and leave you feeling satisfied.

Arai Keerai Poondu Poriyal

🔗Arai Keerai Poondu Poriyal

Chettinad Urulai Kilangu Poondu Kara Poriyal

🔗Murungai Keerai Poriyal Recipe | Drumstick Leaves Stir Fry

Diwali Special Varuval Recipes

Varuval is a popular South Indian dish that involves marinating meat, seafood or vegetables in a flavorful blend of spices and then shallow-frying, stir-frying or deep-frying until crispy and golden brown. The end result is a deliciously aromatic and crispy dish that is perfect for any occasion.

Chettinad Beetroot Kola Urundai Recipe

🔗Chettinad Beetroot Kola Urundai Recipe

Chettinad Ennai Vazhakkai | Chettinad Raw Banana Fry

🔗Chettinad Ennai Vazhakkai | Chettinad Raw Banana Fry

Seppankizhangu Roast | Arbi Roast

🔗Seppankizhangu Roast | Arbi Roast

Classic Vazhakkai Varuval

🔗Podi Potta Kovakkai Fry | Ivy Gourd Stir Fry

Diwali Special Kadaiyal/Masiyal Recipes

Masiyal/Kadaiyal is a Tamil word used for mashing cooked ingredients together. It is a traditional cooking technique used specifically for preparing vegetarian side dishes. It is one of the popular cooking techniques used across Indian cuisines, especially Tamil cuisine. Traditionally, Masiyal cooking techniques are done in a stoned clay pot and a wooden masher. However, for quick and easy masiyal recipes electronic mixer grinder can be used. Kadaiyal/Masiyal is a part of the traditional Tamil Valai Ilai Virundhu.

Kongu Special Pachai Payaru Kadayal/Green Gram Curry Recipe

🔗Kongu Special Pachai Payaru Kadayal/Green Gram Curry

Mulai Keerai Masiyal Recipe

🔗Mulai Keerai Masiyal Recipe

Puli Itta Keerai Recipe | Arai Keerai Puli Masiyal

🔗Puli Itta Keerai | Arai Keerai Puli Masiyal

Saiva Masala Kari Recipes/Veg Curry Recipes

Saiva Masala Kari Recipes is a delectable semi-gravy Indian dish that is known for its bold flavours and spice. It is the perfect accompaniment to rice and pairs well with a variety of rice dishes such as curd rice, lemon rice, tomato rice and more. This dish is bursting with flavour and is sure to tantalize your taste buds with its unique blend of spices and herbs.

Soya Chunks Saiva Kari

🔗Soya Chunks Saiva Kari

Soya Chunks Pepper Masala

🔗Vendakkai Puli Venjanam | Hot Lady's Finger Curry

Diwali Special Soup Recipes

Tamil Virundhu, a traditional feast in Tamil cuisine, often includes a variety of soups, particularly in Chettinad cuisine, where the aromatic and spicy flavours of the soups are a popular addition to the meal.

Chettinad Cauliflower Soup

🔗Chettinad Cauliflower Soup

Murungai Keerai Soup | Drumstick Leaves Soup

🔗Murungai Keerai Soup | Drumstick Leaves Soup

Diwali Special Salad Recipes

In certain Tamil cuisines, particularly Tamil Brahmin Cuisine, salad is an integral part of the traditional Tamil Virundhu.

Vellarikka Kosumalli | Cucumber Salad

🔗Vellarikka Kosumalli | Cucumber Salad

Tamil Nadu Sweets/Diwali Special Sweets

The Indian festival of Diwali/Deepavali is a special occasion where people come together to celebrate and enjoy traditional Indian sweets. These sweets are an integral part of the festivities, prepared with great care and attention to detail, using traditional techniques and ingredients. Some popular Tamil Nadu sweets are perfect for lunch and can be enjoyed during this festival.

🔗Chettinad Kavuni Arisi Sweet

Diwali Special Tamil Nadu Deep Fried Snacks

No Deepavali celebration is complete without a variety of deep-fried snacks to indulge in. From crispy ulundhu vadai to flavorful masala appam and classic medhu vadai, these savoury treats are an essential part of the festive spread.

Chettinad Masala Seeyam

🔗Chettinad Masala Seeyam 

Diwali Special Neer Mor Recipe Indian

In Tamil Nadu, a festive feast is considered incomplete without the refreshing drink called neer mor. This traditional drink is typically served after the completion of the feast and is known to aid in digestion, making it a popular choice among locals. Neer mor is a light and soothing drink that is made by blending yoghurt, water, and spices like ginger and curry leaves. The drink not only cools down the body but also helps to balance the acidity levels in the stomach, making it a healthy and delicious addition to any meal. Overall, neer mor is an essential part of the Tamil Nadu cuisine and a perfect way to end any feast.

Masala Mor | Masala Buttermilk

🔗Masala Mor | Masala Buttermilk

Have a safe and joyous Diwali (Deepavali).

If you have any more questions about the Tamil Nadu Vegetarian Deepavali Special Lunch Menu | Traditional Diwali Food Menu For Lunch, just drop me an email at knowyourindianfoodofficial@gmail.com. I'm always happy to help! Also, make sure to follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.

HAPPY COOKING!
with better ingredients for better food.

Comments

Subscribe To My Blog!

* indicates required