Once a Diwali puja must, khand de khidone fade into oblivion

Once a staple during Diwali celebrations in North India, khand de khidone—edible sugar toys moulded into shapes of horses, elephants, parrots and peacocks—are vanishing from shelves. These whimsical confections, crafted from crystallised sugar and sold in local bazaars, were more than just sweets—they were symbols of innocence, tradition and the handmade joy that defined childhood Diwalis.

For generations, children would eagerly await these colourful treats, often displayed in rows at roadside stalls and festive fairs. The toys were admired, played with and eventually savoured—each bite a sugary celebration of the season. But today, their presence is largely ceremonial, confined to puja thalis as decorative offerings rather than delights to be devoured.

“Earlier, kids would run to the market asking for khand de khidone. Now, they ask for chocolates wrapped in shiny foil,” says Ramesh Kumar, a third-generation sweet seller in Ludhiana’s Chaura Bazaar. “We still make a few for tradition’s sake, but demand has dropped sharply.”

The decline is not just about changing tastes. The rise of gourmet sweets—fusion mithais, designer desserts and imported chocolates—has pushed these humble sugar toys to the margins. Urbanisation, shifting consumer preferences and the dwindling number of artisans skilled in this delicate craft have further accelerated their disappearance.

Yet, for many, khand de khidone remain a powerful symbol of cultural memory. “They remind us of a time when Diwali was less about extravagance and more about shared joy,” says cultural historian Dr Meena Arora. “These toys were handmade, affordable and deeply rooted in local tradition. Their fading presence is a loss not just of a sweet, but of a sensibility.”

In cities like Ludhiana, Delhi and Lucknow, a few families still seek out these sugar figurines, placing them beside earthen lamps and marigold garlands during Diwali rituals. But the joy of children biting into a sugar parrot or making candy horse gallop across the floor is becoming increasingly rare.

“We used to wait for Diwali just to get our hands on khand de khidone—they were a highlight of the season,” says Rajinder Kaur, a local resident. “But today, what’s there to say? Kids don’t even eat mithai anymore—they only want chocolates and cakes.”

Reviving interest in khand de khidone may require more than nostalgia. It calls for conscious cultural preservation—supporting local artisans, showcasing these sweets in schools and exhibitions and reminding younger generations that tradition, too, can be sweet.

As Diwali lights flicker across homes this year, perhaps there’s still room for a sugar elephant or two—to sit beside the chocolates and whisper stories of a simpler and sweeter time.