World · Bangladesh Bureau
Sweet aromas of traditional sweets herald Durga Puja season across Bangladesh
As Durga Puja approaches, the familiar scents of naru and moa—traditional Bengali confections—drift through homes across the country, marking the beginning of festive preparations. The preparation of these time-honoured sweets remains a cherished annual ritual for countless families.
LSN Bangladesh ·
The aroma of cardamom, jaggery, and ghee signals the arrival of Durga Puja season in Bangladesh, as households dust off traditional recipes to prepare naru and moa. These beloved Bengali sweets, passed down through generations, represent more than mere confections—they embody the cultural and spiritual essence of the festival celebrated by the Hindu community nationwide.
Naru, a brittle brittle made from rice flour and jaggery, and moa, a softer variety often enriched with coconut and sesame, require meticulous preparation. The process begins weeks before the actual puja celebrations, with family members gathering in kitchens to mix ingredients by hand, roll dough, and shape each piece with practiced precision.
Bakers and confectioners across major cities report heightened demand as orders pour in from families and community pandals. The sweets serve multiple purposes—offered as prasad during worship, distributed among relatives and neighbours, and served to visitors attending puja celebrations throughout the festival period.
Despite modern commercial alternatives flooding the market, many families continue to prepare these delicacies at home, viewing the ritual as integral to maintaining cultural traditions. The distinctive fragrance wafting from millions of kitchens simultaneously has become an unmistakable harbinger of the festive season in Bengali communities.