Surat: Surtis will celebrate the festival of Chandi Padwa today, following Sharad Purnima’s full moon, by enjoying various types of ghari. On the day before Chandi Padwa, long queues were seen at 150 Sumul Dairy parlours across Surat and Tapi districts, as people rushed to buy saffron-almond-pistachio ghari. At the main Sumul Dairy outlets, customers also lined up to purchase Surti husk.

According to Sumul Dairy sources, the company accounts for 65–70% of total ghari sales in Surat, reportedly amounting to around 150 tons. Prior to Chandi Padwa, Sumul Dairy sold 80 tons of saffron-almond-pistachio ghari, 15 tons of mola mawa, and 11 tons of Surti bhusi.

The dairy is preparing to sell an additional 10 tons of ghari on the festival day itself. This year, total sales are expected to exceed last year’s figures by about 5 tons, bringing the estimate to nearly 90 tons.

Sumul Dairy has also sold 14–15 tons of pure desi ghee and sugar-free ghari for diabetic customers. Saffron-almond-pistachio ghari is priced at ₹820 per kg, while low-calorie sugar-free ghari is sold at ₹200 per 200 grams. Around 70% of ghari sales come from Surat city, while the remaining 30% are from surrounding areas such as Bardoli, Palsana, Kamrej, and Vyara in Surat district.

Surtilalas are known for their luxurious and generous food culture. The festival of Chandi Padwa is celebrated on the second day after the Sharad Poonam moon sighting. On Sharad Poonam, people traditionally consume milk and pau, while stone sugar kept on rooftops overnight is eaten the next morning for its health benefits. On Chandi Padwa, Surati households celebrate the occasion with great enthusiasm.

Despite annual price hikes due to inflation, the excitement of Surtis for ghari remains undiminished. DeshGujarat