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. If someone is wondering which sweet is famous in Jaipur, the answer is Ghevar.

Ghevar is specially made and consumed during 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 the Teej festival which falls in the Hindu month of Savan or the 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 mold 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 that 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. The 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 by 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 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 the 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 the 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 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 shower 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. The 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; its 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 Bhandar 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 the 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 a 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 a historic Ghevar shop. This shop has a strong contribution to the history of Ghevar making in Jaipur.

How To Eat Ghevar? Sweetened Vs Unsweetened

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. The best way to eat Ghevar? If you like the crisp one, the trick is to prepare sugar syrup and pour it over the Ghevar just before eating. If you don’t like or worry about the crisp one, the sweet one from the shop shelf is the best way to enjoy this Rajasthani delicacy.

How to Store A Ghevar & Shelf Life?

It is best to buy an unsweetened Ghevar because it can be easily stored for 15 days in a dry climate. The shelf life reduces in case of humid conditions. One can always prepare sugar syrup when consuming it. For the sweetened version, it holds good for 3-5 days depending on climatic conditions. Most people generally buy a sweetened version from the shop and the best way to store this Ghevar is to allow it to air sometime & put it in an airtight container in a fridge.

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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!