In This Haryana Village, Men Cook on Diwali While Women Sit Back and Enjoy the Feast

Cultural Desk, Delhi Magazine: Diwali celebrations usually mean busy kitchens, with women preparing sweets and festive meals for the family. But in Dancholi village of Mahendragarh district in Haryana, the tradition is quite different. Here, women stay away from the kitchen on Diwali, while men take charge of cooking the entire festive meal.

The unusual custom is followed by the Rajput community in the village and has reportedly continued for nearly a century. Instead of asking women to manage the kitchen as they normally do, the men prepare the food themselves and later gather for the worship of Goddess Lakshmi.

Diwali is celebrated in different ways across India, with every region having its own customs and traditions, as seen in the celebrations of Hindu communities celebrating Diwali in Blacktown, Australia.

Men Prepare the Diwali Feast

The tradition has its roots in the village’s history. Local accounts credit Ramdhan Singh Tanwar, who founded the village, with starting this custom.

On Diwali, men prepare the traditional dishes, including churma made with desi ghee and kheer. The families also avoid depending on sweets purchased from the market, preferring homemade preparations for the festival.

After the cooking is completed, the men gather for Lakshmi Puja. Following the rituals, men eat first and women have their meal afterwards, as part of the community’s traditional practice.

A 94-Year-Old Villager Still Follows the Customs

Retired Subedar Harnam Singh Tanwar, aged 94, is among the older residents who continue to follow the village’s traditional values.

He has stayed away from alcohol, meat and eggs throughout his life, including during his education and military service. His lifestyle reflects the importance that some families in the village give to their traditional food habits.

The festival also has several religious stories and customs associated with it, including the story behind Choti Diwali and the story of Lord Krishna and Narakasura.

Young Men Also Respect the Tradition

The younger generation has also continued to respect the customs followed by their elders.

Devendra Singh Tanwar says village youngsters value their traditions while also focusing on education, sports and professional careers. Many young people from the village are serving in the Army and police.

A Different Diwali Tradition in Haryana

While Diwali is celebrated across India with lights, sweets and prayers, Dancholi has developed its own distinctive way of marking the festival.

The most interesting part of the celebration is that men take over the kitchen, giving women a break from their regular cooking responsibilities. For the villagers, the practice is more than a festive activity. It is a tradition connected with their history, family values and community identity.

Devotional music is another important part of Diwali celebrations, as highlighted in Mary Millben’s return to Om Jai Jagdish Hare ahead of Diwali 2026.