Holi Sweets in Australia: Gujiya, Ladoos and Festive Treats

Holi is loud, messy and joyful. Clothes get ruined, faces turn pink and green, and somebody always ends up in the pool. But ask anyone who grew up with Holi what they remember most, and a lot of them will say the gujiya. If you're planning Holi sweets in Australia this year, this guide covers the classics, what to serve at a colour party and how to get everything in time.

When Is Holi 2027?

Holi falls on the full moon of the Hindu month of Phalguna, which usually lands in March. In 2027, Holi is around 22–23 March, with Holika Dahan (the bonfire night) on the evening before the day of colours. Different calendars and regions can place the dates a day apart, so check your local temple or family calendar.

In Australia, most community Holi events are held on the nearest weekend, so you may be celebrating on a Saturday or Sunday close to those dates.

Why Are Sweets So Important at Holi?

Holi celebrates the arrival of spring in India, the triumph of good over evil and, above all, togetherness. It's a festival where old grudges are forgiven and everyone, friends, neighbours and strangers, is welcome.

Sweets are how that welcome shows up. In many North Indian homes, families spend days before Holi making sweets and snacks, then fill plates for every visitor who comes through the door, often still covered in colour.

The legend of Holika is also part of the story. The bonfire on Holi eve commemorates the burning of the demon Holika and the protection of the devotee Prahlad. The next morning, the celebration turns to colour, music and food.

What Is Gujiya, and Why Is It the Signature Holi Sweet?

Gujiya is a crescent-shaped fried pastry filled with a sweet mix of khoya (milk solids), dry fruits, nuts and often coconut. The edges are sealed with a pretty crimped pattern, then the gujiya is fried until golden. Some are dipped in sugar syrup, others dusted with sugar or left plain.

In Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan and much of North India, Holi without gujiya is almost unthinkable. Families traditionally make them together, with grandmothers, aunts and kids sitting around the table filling and crimping dozens at a time.

Gujiya is similar to Telugu kajjikayalu, Maharashtrian karanji and Karnataka's karjikai. The shape and idea are the same across India, with different fillings and names.

Swagath Foods makes gujiya as part of its Made to Order range, along with kajjikayalu. Because they're made to order, plan ahead for Holi.

What Other Sweets Are Traditionally Eaten at Holi?

Gujiya is the star, but it's not alone on the table. These are the classics you'll find in many homes.

Malpua

Malpua are soft, sweet pancakes fried in ghee and soaked in syrup, often served with rabri (thickened sweet milk). They're rich, indulgent and very much a festival-only treat.

Thandai

Technically a drink, not a sweet, but no Holi is complete without it. Thandai is chilled milk blended with almonds, fennel, cardamom, rose petals, pepper and saffron. It's cooling, fragrant and perfect for a warm March afternoon in Australia.

Puran Poli

Sweet flatbreads stuffed with a chana dal and jaggery filling, especially popular in Maharashtra at Holi. Telugu families know it as bobbattlu.

Ladoos

Besan ladoo and motichoor ladoo are always welcome on a Holi sweet platter. They're easy to grab with colour-stained fingers.

Peda and Barfi

Milk-based sweets like mixed peda and milk cake and kalakand are part of many Holi spreads, especially when visiting family.

Jalebi

Hot, crisp jalebi with a glass of cold thandai is a combination worth trying at least once.

What Savoury Snacks Go with Holi Sweets?

Holi food isn't only sweet. After a few gujiyas, everyone wants something salty.

• Dahi vada (dahi bhalla): Soft lentil dumplings in yoghurt with chutneys and spices, a Holi must in many homes.

• Namak pare and mathri: Crisp, flaky savoury crackers that keep for days.

• Kanji vada: A tangy fermented drink with lentil dumplings, popular in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.

• Spicy mixtures: Easy to serve in bowls for a crowd. Try something from Swagath Foods' namkeen range, such as batani mixture.

How Do You Plan Food for a Holi Party in Australia?

Holi parties in Australia usually happen outdoors, in a backyard, a park or a community ground. That changes how you plan food.

Keep It Finger Food

Guests will have coloured hands, and nobody wants to hold a plate and a fork while dodging water balloons. Choose sweets and snacks that can be picked up and eaten in one or two bites: ladoos, gujiya, peda, mathri and small bowls of mixture.

Keep Food Away from the Colour Zone

Set up the food table under cover and away from where colours are being thrown. A simple gazebo or veranda works well. Cover platters when they're not being used.

Think About the Weather

March in Australia is still warm in many places, especially in Brisbane, Perth and Darwin. Milk-based sweets and dahi vada should stay chilled until they're served. Put out small amounts and top up often, rather than leaving a big tray in the sun.

Plan Enough

A good starting point is three to four sweet pieces per person and plenty of savoury snacks. Holi parties run for hours, and people keep coming back.

Make Thandai the Welcome Drink

Serve thandai (the non-alcoholic version if kids are around) in a big jug on ice. It's the drink people remember, and it balances all the sweets.

How Do You Keep Holi Sweets Fresh?

A few simple storage rules:

• Gujiya: Store at room temperature in an airtight container. It keeps for a few days. Syrup-dipped versions are best eaten sooner.

• Ladoos: Airtight container, cool dry place.

• Milk sweets (peda, kalakand, milk cake): Refrigerate and eat within a few days.

• Namkeen and mathri: Keep sealed to stay crisp.

• Dahi vada: Always refrigerated and eaten the same day.

On a hot day, keep a cooler with ice packs near the food table for anything milk-based.

When Should You Order Holi Sweets in Australia?

Because gujiya is made to order, give yourself extra time.

• Sydney: Order one to two weeks before Holi.

• Interstate: Order two weeks or more before Holi, to allow for delivery.

• Large parties or community events: Order three weeks ahead and call to confirm quantities.

For larger orders or questions about gujiya availability, call Swagath Foods on (02) 8810 6323 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm). Orders over $200 qualify for free shipping within Australia, which is easy to reach when you're feeding a crowd.

How Can You Share Holi with Non-Indian Friends?

Holi is one of the most welcoming festivals in the world, and Australians love it. Community Holi events in Sydney, Melbourne and other cities often attract thousands of people from every background.

If you're inviting friends who've never celebrated before:

• Tell them to wear old clothes. White is traditional and shows off the colours, but it won't be white afterwards.

• Use safe, skin-friendly colours. Choose natural or herbal colour powders, and avoid getting them in anyone's eyes.

• Explain the sweets. A small card beside each sweet, "gujiya: pastry filled with milk solids and nuts", helps first-timers dive in.

• Say "Happy Holi!" Or "Holi hai!", which is what everyone shouts before throwing colour.

A small box of gujiya and ladoos is also a lovely Holi gift for neighbours, colleagues or your kids' teachers.

How Do Holi Sweets Differ Across India?

Holi is celebrated differently across India, and so are the sweets.

If your Holi party brings together people from different regions, mixing a few of these foods is a lovely way to include everyone. Rasgulla, for example, is a nod to Bengali guests celebrating Dol Jatra.

How Can You Keep Holi Treats Lighter?

Holi is a feast, and there's nothing wrong with enjoying it. But if you're hosting a long day and want a balanced table, a few simple swaps help:

• Offer fruit alongside sweets. Watermelon, mango and grapes are refreshing in March heat.

• Put out smaller pieces. Cut sweets into bite-sized portions so people can try more without overdoing it.

• Include savoury options. Dahi vada and namkeen balance the sugar.

• Serve plenty of water. Playing Holi in the sun is thirsty work, and thandai is rich.

What Are the Most Common Holi Food Mistakes?

• Ordering gujiya too late. It's made to order, so leave plenty of time.

• Leaving food uncovered near the colours. Pink gujiya isn't the look you want.

• Putting milk sweets in the sun. Keep them chilled and bring out small amounts.

• Forgetting the kids. Have simple, familiar sweets like ladoos and jalebi for younger guests.

• Running out of savoury snacks. They go faster than you think.

How Do You Make Thandai at Home?

Thandai is easy to prepare ahead, which helps on a busy party day. Soak almonds, fennel seeds, melon seeds, poppy seeds and black peppercorns for a few hours, then grind them into a smooth paste with a little milk. Add cardamom, rose petals or a splash of rose water, a pinch of saffron and sugar to taste. Stir the paste into chilled full-cream milk, strain it and refrigerate until serving.

A few tips:

• Make the paste the day before. The flavours deepen overnight.

• Keep it very cold. Serve over ice on a warm March day.

• Label it clearly. Traditional bhang thandai contains cannabis, which is illegal in Australia. Make it clear your thandai is the family-friendly kind.

• Offer a dairy-free option. Almond milk works well for guests who avoid dairy.

Is Holi Celebrated by Non-Hindu Families?

Very much so. Holi has always crossed community lines in India, and in Australia it's become one of the most widely enjoyed Indian festivals. Schools, universities, councils and workplaces now host their own Holi days.

That means the sweet table is often feeding people from many backgrounds. Keep a few simple, recognisable choices like ladoos and jalebi alongside the gujiya, and label anything containing nuts. Everyone should be able to join in, colour and all.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Holi in 2027?

Holi in 2027 falls around 22–23 March, with Holika Dahan (the bonfire) on the evening before the day of colours. Dates can vary by a day depending on the calendar, so check your local temple or family calendar.

What is the most popular Holi sweet?

Gujiya is the most popular Holi sweet. It's a crescent-shaped fried pastry filled with khoya, dry fruits and nuts, with crimped edges. It's especially loved in North India.

What is the difference between gujiya and kajjikayalu?

Gujiya and kajjikayalu are very similar crescent-shaped fried pastries. Gujiya is the North Indian version, usually filled with khoya and dry fruits, while kajjikayalu is the Telugu version, often filled with coconut, semolina or roasted gram and sugar.

Where can I buy gujiya in Australia?

Swagath Foods in Pendle Hill, Sydney makes gujiya as part of its Made to Order range and delivers across Australia. Because it's made to order, order one to two weeks before Holi, or longer for interstate delivery.

What food should I serve at a Holi party?

Serve finger-friendly sweets like gujiya, ladoos and peda, savoury snacks like mathri, namkeen and dahi vada, and chilled thandai to drink. Keep food under cover and away from the colour zone.

Bring the Colour and the Sweets

Holi is about letting go, making up and celebrating together. Get the gujiya ordered early, chill the thandai and let the colours fly.

Order gujiya from the Made to Order collection or browse the full North Indian sweets range at Swagath Foods. Holi hai!