Shankarpali
Diamond-shaped sweet snack made from flour, sugar, ghee and semolina
Shankarpali is a sweet snack from Maharashtra, India, made by frying pieces of dough prepared with flour, sugar, ghee or butter, and semolina. Popular across India and among Indian communities worldwide, it is especially made and enjoyed during Diwali, but is also eaten year-round as a snack.
- Made from maida flour, semolina, sugar, and ghee or butter
- Traditionally prepared for Diwali in Maharashtra and across India
- Popular among Indian communities in Fiji, Guyana, and Mauritius
- Can be sweet, spicy, or savory depending on the recipe
- Long shelf-life makes it a year-round snack
What is Shankarpali?
Shankarpali is a bite-sized sweet snack, usually cut into diamond or square shapes. The dough is made from maida flour (a refined wheat flour), semolina (a coarse wheat product), sugar, ghee (clarified butter) or butter, and sometimes milk. Once fried, the pieces become crisp and golden, with a mildly sweet flavor. Some versions can be savory or spicy, but the sweet variety is most common. The texture is crunchy and it keeps well for weeks, making it a popular treat to store and share.
Where does Shankarpali come from?
Shankarpali comes from Maharashtra in western India, where it is a traditional part of Marathi cooking. The name traces back to the Persian word 'Shekarpareh', showing a blend of cultural influences. Over time, it spread across India, especially to regions like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand. With migration, it became part of the food culture in countries with Indian communities, such as Fiji, Guyana, and Mauritius. Its popularity is tied to festivals, especially Diwali, but it is also enjoyed as an everyday snack.
How is Shankarpali made?
To make shankarpali, a dough is prepared by mixing maida flour, semolina, sugar, ghee or butter, and sometimes milk. The dough is rolled out and cut into small diamond or square shapes. These pieces are then deep-fried until they turn golden and crisp. The finished snack can be stored for a long time, which makes it convenient for festivals and gifting. Some variations adjust the sugar or add spices for a different taste.
How and when is Shankarpali eaten?
Shankarpali is eaten as a snack, often with tea or shared among family and friends. It is especially popular during Diwali, when people prepare it at home and offer it to guests. The snack is also sold in shops throughout the year, and many people buy it ready-made except during festivals. Its long shelf-life makes it handy for travel or as a treat to keep at home. In some regions, savory or spicy versions are also enjoyed.
Kinds of Shankarpali
There are several regional names and slight differences in preparation. In Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh, a similar sweet is called khurma or laktho. Gujarati, Kannada, Bengali, Punjabi, and other communities have their own versions, sometimes with changes in flavor or shape. While the sweet type is most common, some recipes use less sugar or add spices for a savory or spicy taste. The Indian diaspora has kept the tradition alive in countries like Fiji and Trinidad, sometimes adapting the recipe to local ingredients.
What Shankarpali means
Shankarpali is closely linked to Diwali, when it is made at home as part of the festival's sweets. Preparing it is a family activity, and sharing it with neighbors is a common custom. Its production and sale provide income for many women, especially outside the festival season. The snack is a symbol of celebration and hospitality in many Indian households, and its presence in Indian communities abroad reflects cultural continuity.
When Shankarpali is on the table
Questions people ask about Shankarpali
What is Shankarpali made of?
Shankarpali is made from a dough of maida flour, semolina, sugar, ghee or butter, and sometimes milk. The dough is cut into small shapes and deep-fried until crisp.
Where does Shankarpali come from?
Shankarpali originates from Maharashtra in western India, but it is now enjoyed throughout India and in Indian communities worldwide, especially during Diwali.
Is Shankarpali always sweet?
While the most common version is sweet, there are also savory and spicy types, depending on the ingredients and region.
When is Shankarpali usually eaten?
It is especially prepared and eaten during Diwali, but is also enjoyed as an everyday snack throughout the year.
How is Shankarpali stored?
Because it is deep-fried and dry, Shankarpali has a long shelf-life and can be stored in airtight containers for several weeks.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Shankarpali", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
More from India
All the food of India
Ice cream
🇺🇸 United States and 5 moreA frozen dessert made from sweetened, flavoured milk or cream
Sweet or dessert, Snacks
Halvaحَلَاوَة
🇮🇷 Iran and 5 moreDense sweet made from seeds, grains, or vegetables, found across Asia, Africa, and Europe
Sweet or dessert, Snacks, Tea time
Candy
🇺🇸 United States and 5 moreSmall sweet treats made mainly from sugar or sweeteners
Sweet or dessert, Snacks
French toast
🇫🇷 France and 5 moreBread soaked in egg and milk, pan-fried and served sweet or savoury
Main dish, Breakfast, Snacks
Its cousins elsewhere
All sweets and desserts
GalaktobourekoVegetarianγαλακτομπούρεκο
🇬🇷 Greece and 4 moreCustard-filled filo pastry soaked in syrup
Pie or savoury pastry
Crêpe
🇫🇷 FranceThin French pancakes, served sweet or savoury with a range of fillings
Main dish, Breakfast, Lunch
Apple pieVegetarian
🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 5 moreA baked pie with apple filling and pastry crust, served hot or cold
Sweet or dessert, Snacks
BriocheVegetarianune brioche
🇫🇷 FranceFrench bread made with eggs and butter, often shaped in rounds or loaves
Bread, Breakfast, Snacks