Ghevar is a traditional Rajasthani mithai or sweet dish which originates from the state of Rajasthan but is also popular in the surrounding states. The association of Jaipur with Ghevar is inviolable. Some sweet shops are synonymous with this delicacy & specialize in its preparation techniques.
Ghevar is specially made and consumed during the local festivals like Teej, Gangaur, and Makar Sankranti. In some places, it is associated with the Indian festival of Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi. In this region, Ghevar is synonymous with Teej festival which falls in the Hindu month of Savan or monsoon season in July or August.
What is Ghevar?
Ghevar is a disc-shaped Indian sweet having a honeycomb pattern. It is prepared using maida (refined flour) and ghee (clarified butter). Some people mix a small quantity of besan (gram flour) to enhance its taste. A batter is made using these ingredients and dropped from a height in piping Ghee or hot oil (as a cheaper replacement).
Local sweet shops use a special disc-shaped metal mould during its preparation to give it a round shape. Even though the ingredients are basic and easily available, the trick of making a good Ghevar lies in its preparation technique; timing is the most important factor.
Here is a link to a video which shows how Ghevar is made in a workshop of a local Halwai/ sweet shop.
Once it is done, it is dipped in sugar syrup and sold as a sweet variant.
Ghevar is sold in two styles. Sweet and unsweetened. The former has a short lifespan and needs to be consumed within 3-7 days. Latter has a shelf life of 20-30 days. There are many variants of Ghevar. The most popular among these is Paneer Ghevar. LMB sweets profess that they mastered its technique.
Paneer (cottage cheese) Ghevar doesn’t mean that it is prepared from the usual paneer sold in the market. To make Paneer Ghevar thick curdled milk or Chhena is mixed in the batter. Its seller insists that this variant has a longer shelf life and is tastier than the plain one. Even milk Ghevar is also popular in Jaipur. In this case, milk is added to the batter.
Price of Ghevar in Jaipur
Ghevar is an expensive delicacy and it is sold from Rs. 660/kg to Rs. 1700/kg for the unsweetened variants. This variation in price depends on its size and the seller/shop. The sweetened ones start at Rs 600/Kg onwards. LMB sweet sells Ghevar by piece; a single LMB Ghevar cost Rs 670!
These prices are for the ones prepared from Desi Ghee. You can find Ghevar made from hydrogenated vegetable oil being sold at one-third of these prices. And this is what sells in a huge number especially in the rural areas. It is not sold throughout the year in most shops barring a few. LMB sweet is one such shop in Johari Bazar Jaipur.
Malai Ghevar is highly sought after and is for instant consumption. The sweet Ghevar is topped with a layer of Malai ( fat obtained by heating milk) and sometimes, it is sprinkled with dry fruits & nuts or Vark.
What is the history of Ghevar?
Sadly, there is no information on its history. Some people claim that it found its way to India with Mughals many centuries ago or perhaps came with the artisans who came from the middle east. There are no records to prove this theory. I guess in lieu of any written records it is safe to assume that Ghevar owes its origin to Rajasthan. There is another set of people who believe that Ghevar originated in Uttar Pradesh. The popular opinion is that it is a Rajasthani Mithai.
Why is Ghevar is associated with Teej?
As per the customs and rituals, Ghevar is sent as a gift by parents of the married daughters as a blessing for her happy married life.
Savan month is associated with Lord Shiva and his union with Parvati. They are considered as an eternal pair. Ghevar is a symbol of blessings and love showered by parents towards married daughters for the same. As per local customs, mothers-in-law showers their daughters-in-law with gifts in the first year of marriage. Thereafter, Ghevar and other gifts are sent by her parents every year on Teej. On Sinjara, women visit their parent’s house along with Ghevar.
Best places to buy Ghevar in Jaipur
Ask anyone in Jaipur and people will suggest different shops. Regular travelers to the city recommend LMB sweets in Johari Bazar because it has marketed Paneer Ghevar for years.
Even though the LMB sweet writes “since 1727” don’t get misled. This shop came into existence only in the 1960s!
It doesn’t mean that other shops don’t make good Paneer Ghevar. Following are the names of sweet shops in Jaipur that are popular among locals for Ghevar.
Sambhar Fini in Johari Bazaar is famous for both Ghevar and Fini, another Rajasthani sweet delicacy. The shop is located in Ghee Walon Ka Rasta, Johari Bazar.
Ajeetmal Agarwal Sambharwala owes its origin in a small town near Jaipur, Sambhar. The shop looks dated and retains its old world charm. City residents who grew up in the walled city vouch for its quality. Those looking for an upmarket and swanky outlet will be disappointed. Just because this outlet looks old doesn’t mean they sell at low rates. Their rates are on par with the new age sweet shops. The USP of this Ghevar shop is that they sell only Ghevar and Fini. They specialize in making of these two authentic Rajasthani Mithai.
BMB sweets near Sanganeri Gate (Johari Bazar) is a popular sweet shop. It is not known for its legendary taste of Ghevar; their location certainly gives them an edge. BMB also has a branch on Tonk road.
Sodhani sweet is one of the most popular sweet shop chains in Jaipur. They owe their origin in a small lane in Johari Bazar – Partanion Ka Rasta but is now present with 3 outlets in the city. While it is not specifically famous for Ghevar but you can’t go wrong with Sodhani sweets because they are the jack of all! You can find them in Johari Bazar, Tonk Road, and Ajmer Road.
Rawat Misthan Bhandaar is popular among locals and tourists alike for its famed Pyaaz kachori. They are also popular for Bengali sweets & Ghevar.
Other sweet shops like Kanji, DMB, Kanha, and others also sell Ghevar. In fact, it is not uncommon to find it being sold at every sweet shop during the season. It is hard to recommend a shop for best Ghevar in Jaipur!
In the old days, Hanuman Ji Ka Rasta was a popular lane for buying Ghevar. An old shop owner who only makes Ghevar shared that their shop has a history of two and half-century. For years, they churned Ghevar in huge numbers every day but lately, they have lost out to the new shops. The current generation is unaware of the existence of such historic Ghevar shop. This shop has a strong contribution to the history of Ghevar making in Jaipur.
So, do people eat unsweetened Ghevar?
How does the unsweetened one taste? People buy Ghevar as a dessert and to celebrate happy occasions. Those who buy unsweetened Ghevar do so either to ensure a longer shelf life or prefer freshly prepared sugar syrup because the sweetened variant is soggy. If you like the crisp one the trick is to prepare sugar syrup just before eating.
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If you are visiting Jaipur, take a bite and enjoy this Rajasthani delicacy. It is totally worth it! If you don’t, your loss!
With a Rajashthani Mom, how could we not have Ghewar at every opportunity we could!
I absolutely love your detailed post, as it wll enlighten anyone who hasn’t heard of Ghewar.
On my next visit to Jaipur I plan to visit the shops you mentioned, for Ghewar, and more.
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You have a mom from Rajasthan? wow! Where is she from? So you must have tried a variety of Rajasthani food?
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Love this detailed post of yours, Arvind. I so love Malai Ghevar! Gosh…I am drooling here thinking of the delicacy and the time spent in Rajasthan gorging on this.
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Now that’s interesting. In which city you had Malai Ghevar?
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The first time in Bikaner…may be a decade back and later often when we transited through Jaipur and Jodhpur 🙂
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Bikaner makes excellent Ghevar. Malai Ghevar of Chotu Motu Joshi is quite renowned.
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I just love Ghevar! Great post with detailed description.Loved each and every picture.
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Happy to hear this, Surabhi 🙂
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Just the sight of it makes my mouth water! Is there a way of emailing this? 😀 😀
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I can email you pictures. If that helps? Else, I can courier you a “live” piece! 🙂 Does that work, Pradita?
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That’s very sweet of you, but no, I won’t ask you to courier the live piece. It could spoil on the journey here. I think it’s time to visit my local Chokhi Dhaani in Pune, or my neighbourhood mithaiwala. Fingers crossed I’ll find it there 😀
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Well, Chokhi Dhani in Jaipur doesn’t serve Ghevar but can’t say about Pune. Try to locate a shop that sells Rajasthani sweets. 🙂
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We have a few shops near my neighbourhood that do but they don’t always stock it. Fingers crossed, next time i have a sweet craving I’ll know what to ask for 😊
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👍 😊
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Ghevar is my favourite sweet dish. I simply love this but never try it, will try it soon. Great post
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There was a small sweet shop in a small rasta inside Johri Bazar which used to sell Ghevar and proudly said” Kuen ke paani se bana Ghevar” and beat LMB Gevar hands down. Have forgotten the name of the shop. Do not know if it is still there or not. I was in Jaipur in 1992 – 1995
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Wow! I haven’t heard about this tag line during the last few years. Any other information? Will find it for you. Some names are legendary but not the taste; that’s befitting for LMB. I agree that there are places which sell better Ghevar than LMB Ghevar. So where are you based now?
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Ludhiana – There was one Doodh Jalebi wala who was simply great. Another was one Namkeen wala on a Rasta parallel to Ghewar Shop.
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Given that the fact that there are mithai shops in every lane, it is difficult task to locate it. 🙂
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I used to enjoy the ambience and alloo tikki stuffed with dryfruits at LMB. Those times they used to serve it in silverware do they still do it now. Another fav spot for me was Gauri coffee shop in Hotel Gangaur. Nostalgic!!!!!!!
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They still do, Praveen. Some people still like “LMB Thali” You are right, Gauri was a popular hub for meeting. It was long before all these new age cafe’s mushroomed. I grew up during later years so I never visited Gauri. It is still there but RTDC is mulling a sell-off of all its properties but there is a stand-off. Govt vs employee unions. You should visit Jaipur someday and relive your memories. 🙂
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I love Ghevar!! We used to wait for Daddy to go to Rajasthan so that he would bring some for us ❤ What an exhaustive post and I hope to someday go there and experience all these places and taste their Ghevars
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wow! Happy to come across a Ghevar lover. So now your dad doesn’t visit Rajasthan? Where are you based?
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You picture is tempting me to prepare it soon… Makar Sankranti, festival of kites is on the way… I miss Jaipur so much for this festival!!
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Well, if this blog is motivating you to prepare Ghevar, I think my job is done. You are a food expert, after all! Are you from Jaipur, Deeksha?
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Yes arv, I am from Jaipur. I have tried successfully ghevar at the occasion of teej, and now in Bangalore also we get ghevar but your clicks are just too sinfully good!!!!
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Happy to stumble across another Jaipurite! Good you reside in Bangalore as the weather is perfect to enjoy Ghevar. Those who live in Chennai, Mumbai or other humid places complain about shelf life of Ghevar. You can get authentic Ghevar in Gandhinagar, Bangalore.
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Mittal Towers at MG road has authentic ghevar here, will sure try in Gandhinagar also…. We were in Chennai also 17 years back but couldn’t find ghevar at that time. Looks like you travel a lot in different cities to see them through your lens ☺️or you are from Bangalore Arv?
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Thanks for adding a place in BLR, Deeksha! There are a couple of places in Chennai too but I don’t think Indian sweets are better in Chennai. Lately, I don’t travel often. BLR? well, I have so many connections – close family & friends. I travel frequently. Do you visit Jaipur?
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Mostly I visit during summer vacation. This time it’s two years gap, that’s why missing it badly. Will try to catch up if you are in Jaipur that time. Would be waiting for your post on “Makar Sankranti”.
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I can understand, Deeksha. It will be great to catch up, keep me posted. I have posted on Sakranti, twice. Let’s see if I’m able to find something unique to write about. 🙂
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Sure 😊
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🙂
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Arv, thanks for sharing such a good amount of information on Ghevar. I knew of this famous Rajasthani sweet and has also seen the pictures but have never tasted them. I had no idea that they are also available as unsweetened version. So good to know about this traditional sweetmeat, will try it for sure next time where ever I see this even if not in Rajasthan (I know the taste will vary but will still have an idea). 🙂
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Sarmistha, Ghevar certainly a different kind of sweet to try. The unsweetened version tecnhically is not a sweet but worth trying if you don’t relish sweets.
I’m sure you will find it in your city too. Pune? These days some of the leading sweet shops in Jaipur also offer the courier facility. 🙂
Personally, I think it is best to enjoy in the winter months. Will look forward to hearing your comments on Ghevar. Sarmistha
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I will let you know once I try Ghevar. 🙂
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👍😊
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Ghevar represents a royal rajasthan. The only sweet item i like is ghevar. My father used to bring ghevar every year in diwali. With this article you have refreshed my memories of diwali of home. thank you for the informative article.
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Certainly, Ghevar is like no other Mithai!
I’m happy this post rekindled your memories. Do you have Rajasthan connection?
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Such beautiful and mouth watering photos and video of Ghevar. It is such an art making these!
I liked how you explained the tradition associated with ghevar as well,
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I take that as a compliment coming from a food specialist! I guess all our traditional sweets are tied with our culture and traditions. Isn’t it so, Sandhya?
Have ever laid your hands on Ghevar?
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Wow, such a ghevarful post.
I never knew the exact process of making ghevar, thanks for sharing the video now I know why it has the net kind of layer. I miss ghevar in down south but the taste is still fresh in my mouth.
Yummy post and nice pictures. I’m a fan of your photography and your lens.
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Your blog is very beautiful Arv. And yes, Ghevar is the essence of teej during Saavan. We wait all year round to have this sweet along with celebrating the festival.
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Thank you so much for that virtual tour and now I am craving malai ghevar 😐
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LMB makes the best ghevar or for that matter any mithai. i just love its mithai. very nice details about ghewar especially the prepration process looks so appetizing and artistic at the same time. 🙂
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It was very nice and sweet to read about this yummy dessert!! 🙂 Thanks for all the wonderful info – maybe we will get to visit that part of India one day and partake this delicacy…
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I’m hoping you get to visit Jaipur during the season of Ghevar. Where are you based?
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Totally love Ghevar and coincidentally I had it for the first time in Jaipur! Thanks for writing.
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Cool. Was it recently?
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Well no, it was back in 2002 i think
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I’m sure you will find many changes over these years. So where are you based?
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Right now based in Brussels
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ah! I guess you must be having lot’s of Liege waffles and fries?
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I prefer the Brussels waffles to Liege & Flemish ones as its softer. And the fries, ah! Belgian fries are the best.
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I didn’t try fries because the area where I was, no one sold the ones fried in non animal fat oil. Next time, maybe.
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Yes, there are only specific vendors who sell fries in vegetable oil. Do let me know the next time you come here, i’ll recommend a few.
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Thanks for this kind gesture. I certainly will bother you when I revisit. I did found a few listed on Happy Cow app but they were far away, so I skipped. 🙂
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Hi, reading the post tickled my taste buds instantly :). Ghevar is a unique sweet and i was happy to find that there’s also a paneer ghevar. next time i would be in jaipur, i am definitely gonna try one of the specialities.
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Happy to know it tickled your taste buds. I’m sure you know where to head to try one?
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