Dussehra falls on Tuesday 20 October 2026, and if you grew up in a Gujarati household, you already know what that means before the date is even confirmed. It means an early start, a queue (or a very determined family member who “knows a guy”), and a table that smells of besan, ajwain and hot oil. It means Dussehra fafda and jalebi for breakfast, whether it is a school day or not.
Here in the UK, the festival looks a little different. The offices are open, the weather is grey, and the Ravan effigies are smaller (and, thankfully, safer). But the food? The food refuses to change. Dussehra fafda still turns up on the table, the chai is still too strong, and that is the best part of celebrating far from home. You can’t always recreate the street, but you can absolutely recreate the table.
We have been making and selling Gujarati snacks in London since 1985, so Dussehra is one of those days we feel in the warehouse as much as in our own kitchens. This is our guide to what people eat, why they eat it, and how to put together a proper Dussehra fafda spread without spending the whole morning at the stove.
What Dussehra Actually Celebrates
Dussehra, also called Vijayadashami, marks the tenth day after Navratri. In much of India it is the day Lord Rama defeated Ravan, and in other traditions it is the day Goddess Durga won her battle against Mahishasura. Different stories, same message: good wins, even when it takes its time.
For Gujarati families the day sits right after nine nights of garba, so there is a particular feeling to it. Everyone is a bit tired, a bit hoarse, slightly proud of their dandiya footwork, and completely ready for a good breakfast. Dussehra is the exhale after the dancing, and Dussehra fafda is the plate that goes with it.
Across the UK, communities in Leicester, Wembley, Harrow, Birmingham and beyond gather for Ramlila performances, effigy burnings and community meals. Even if you are not near any of that, many families mark the day quietly at home with a puja, a phone call to relatives, and food.
Why Dussehra Fafda and Jalebi Belong Together
If there is one pairing that defines the day for Gujaratis, it is Dussehra fafda with jalebi. It can seem an odd combination to someone seeing it for the first time: a long, crisp, savoury strip of besan dough next to a syrupy, hot, sweet spiral. But the logic is perfect. Fafda is salty, a little peppery, with that gentle ajwain warmth. Jalebi is sticky and sweet. Each one fixes what the other is missing.
The tradition is usually explained as a celebration of victory: you eat something rich and festive to mark the day the heroes won. Whatever the origin, the habit has stuck so firmly that in cities across Gujarat the sweet shops open before dawn on Dussehra morning, and the queues stretch round the corner by eight. Families buy by the kilo.
The usual way to serve Dussehra fafda is with a sharp, slightly spicy papaya sambharo (a shredded raw papaya salad) and a green chilli on the side, often fried until blistered and salted heavily. A proper plate is crunch, tang, heat and sweetness all in one bite.
7 Best Gujarati Snacks for Your Dussehra Table
Dussehra fafda is the headline act, but a Dussehra morning rarely stops there. People drop in all day. Cousins arrive. Neighbours turn up with mithai. A good host keeps the table filling. These are the seven snacks we see on most festive tables, starting with the one that matters most.
1. Dussehra Fafda
If you would like a head start, our Dussehra fafda comes in a 175g pack, ready to serve with your own papaya sambharo and fried chillies. You bring the jalebi, from your favourite local sweet house or from your own kitchen if you are feeling brave, and the breakfast is sorted.
2. Gathiya
If fafda is the elegant relative, gathiya is the one who is everywhere, all the time. Soft or crisp, thick or thin, plain, peppery or spiced, gathiya is the snack that sits beside the tea. Many people also call it ghatiya or gatiya depending on the family and the spelling, but the taste is unmistakably the same: chickpea flour, a little carom, a little pepper, a lot of comfort. For something with a bit more bite, try our thikha gathiya, the spicier version that suits anyone who likes a proper chilli kick with their chai.
3. Chakri
Chakri is the spiral snack that people either eat quietly in a corner or hand out like treasure. Crunchy, savoury, lightly spiced and ideal for dunking, it is a staple for any festival tray. Our 250g pack is big enough to share, though we suggest hiding some for yourself before the guests arrive.
4. Nylon Sev
Light, golden and almost lace-like, nylon sev is the snack you can sprinkle on anything. Sev also belongs on top of bhel, over poha, inside farsan mixes, or simply eaten by the handful. For more shapes and flavours, browse our full range of sev.
5. Papdi and Chaat
If your house leans towards chaat at celebrations (and many do), papdi is the crispy base that makes it work. Our puffed chaat papdi and flat chaat papdi are both 175g packs, perfect for layering with chutneys, yoghurt, sev and pomegranate. If you want everything together, our papdi chaat combo keeps things simple.
6. Pani Puri
Nothing goes faster at a family gathering than pani puri. Our pani puri pack gives you the crisp shells, ready for your own tamarind water, mint water and filling. Set it up as a do-it-yourself station next to the Dussehra fafda and watch the children and the grown-ups queue equally.
7. Boondi
Whether you are making raita, laddoo or a quick snack mix, boondi is one of those ingredients that quietly lifts everything. You can also explore the wider boondi range if you want to stock up.
How to Build a Dussehra Fafda Snack Platter
You do not need twenty dishes. A well-planned platter is better than a crowded table. Here is a simple way to think about it.
- Start with a hero. Dussehra fafda, with sambharo and fried chillies, is the centre of the table.
- Add a crunch. Chakri and gathiya work well because they stay crisp for hours and nobody minds if they sit out.
- Add something light. A bowl of nylon sev, sprinkled over a simple chivda or poha, gives variety without extra work.
- Add a sweet. Jalebi, of course, plus whatever mithai your family always has.
- Add a fresh element. Cut fruit, a salad, or a bowl of chilled yoghurt chaat helps balance the richness.
If you want more layout ideas, our guide to simple Indian snack platters walks through how to arrange a table for guests, with options for small and large gatherings. And if you are hosting a bigger group, our Indian savoury snacks hamper is a ready-made way to cover everything in one go, and it doubles up nicely for Diwali, which is only a few weeks away.
Making Dussehra Fafda Work in a UK Home
A few practical thoughts from years of helping families celebrate in this country.
- Do the shopping early. Dussehra falls on a Tuesday this year, so most people will be balancing work or school with the celebration. Order your Dussehra fafda and other snacks a few days ahead so everything arrives in time, and check our delivery information to see the options.
- Keep fafda fresh. Fafda is at its best when it is crisp, so keep the pack sealed until you are ready to serve. If you have opened it and have leftovers, store it in an airtight container and eat within a few days.
- Do not skip the sambharo. A bowl of freshly grated raw papaya, a squeeze of lemon, salt, turmeric, and a tempering of mustard seeds is the thing that makes the plate feel right. If you cannot find raw papaya, a crunchy cabbage and carrot version is a perfectly respectable stand-in.
- Make the chillies. A handful of green chillies, slit down the middle, fried in a little oil and tossed with salt. It takes five minutes and changes the whole experience.
- Think about dietary needs. Many of our snacks are suitable for vegetarians, and we are approved by both the Vegetarian Society and the Vegan Society, so you can feed a mixed table without worrying. As always, check the individual pack for ingredients and allergens before serving.
Dussehra Fafda and Snack Gifting
Dussehra is also a day for visiting. People drop in on elders, friends and neighbours, and nobody turns up empty-handed. A pack of Dussehra fafda alongside a few other savoury snacks is a lovely thing to bring along, and it keeps well. If you want something a little different from the usual mithai box, pair them with a selection of nuts and dried fruits. A healthy nuts and seeds box is a thoughtful option for guests who prefer something lighter after a week of festive eating.
For a wider look at what traditional snacking looks like in Indian homes, take a look at our overview of traditional Indian snacks. And if you enjoy making things yourself, our post on easy Indian snacks you can make at home in the UK is a good place to start.
A Little About Chandra Foods
Chandra Foods started in 1985 as a family business, and it still runs like one. We make authentic Indian and Gujarati snacks in the UK, and we think about festivals the way you do: as the days when food has to be right. Dussehra, Diwali, Holi, Navratri, family weddings, a Sunday afternoon with the cousins. If you would like to see how we mark another big day on the calendar, have a look at our guide to Holi in the UK.
If you want to explore our full range of Gujarati snacks, everything is available online and delivered across the UK.
Dussehra Fafda FAQs
- When is Dussehra 2026?
- Dussehra (Vijayadashami) falls on Tuesday 20 October 2026. It comes the day after the end of Navratri.
- What do Gujaratis eat on Dussehra?
- Dussehra fafda with jalebi is the classic. Most families also serve gathiya, chakri, sev and other farsan, along with sweets and tea.
- Why is Dussehra fafda eaten with jalebi?
- The pairing is traditional and celebratory. The salty, crisp fafda balances the sweet, hot jalebi, and the combination has become a symbol of the day in Gujarat.
- What is fafda made from?
- Fafda is made from chickpea flour (besan) with carom seeds, pepper and salt, rolled thin and fried until crisp. Check the pack for the exact ingredients.
- What should I serve with Dussehra fafda?
- Papaya sambharo, fried and salted green chillies, and a hot cup of chai. Jalebi is, of course, the traditional partner.
- Can I buy Dussehra fafda online in the UK?
- Yes. You can order fafda, gathiya, chakri, sev, papdi and more directly from Chandra Foods, with delivery across the UK.
- How early should I order for Dussehra?
- We would suggest ordering at least a few days before 20 October so your snacks arrive well in time for the celebration.
