It’s that time of the year when there is an imperceptible shift in the proceedings of numerous Maharastrian sweet shops all over the city. The kitchens start churning out an array of seasonal savoury and sweet delights. So while staple munchies like chakli, shankarpali and chivda can be found all year round, the stores’ menus change during the weeks leading up to the festival of lights. We sought out shops in three areas of the city that sell all sorts of faral. Besides the food they serve, what the stores have in common is the fact that they are all family-owned in addition to also delivering their locally famous food to hungry, homesick Indians all over the world.

Girgaum
There’s more to Girgaum than just Chowpatty. The locality is bursting at the seams with its food options and most of them are of the Maharashtrian variety. Take for instance, Vinayak Keshav, a hole-in- the-wall store that is famous for its fresh and crunchy shankarpali that has just the right amount of sweetness. Nearby, Sujata Uphar Gruha – another popular stop – serves both, lunch and dinner. But during the festive season, their puran poli and gud poli flies off the shelves and into the tummies of some very satisfied customers. Also check out the many kinds of halwa on offer. Pineapple, bottle gourd and almond are the most popular ones.

Vinayak Keshav, 125 Maharaja Building, Near St. Theresa Church, Girgaon (). Daily 8.30am-7.30pm. Cash only. From R60.
Sujata Uphar Gruha, 277 Mapla Mahal, Near Vaman Hari Pethe Jewellers, JSS Road, Girgaon (). Daily 8.30am-10pm. Cash only. From R50.

Dadar
Dadar’s hustle and bustle is a testament to the area’s buzzing commerce. During Diwali, or any other Hindu festival for that matter, this working-class neighbourhood really comes alive. Feeding the frenzy is the vast number of small, family-run shops that are going into overdrive mode to meet the demands for their seasonal delights. Godbole Stores, is one such air-conditioned oasis that prepares some of the best anarse and karanji we’ve tasted. The fact that they’re baked will lure the health conscious, but any variant is fine for us if it tastes this good. Also, check out Panshikar Sweets, with its wide variety of faral including besan ladoos, shankarpali, chakli, gud chirote and barfis.

Godbole Stores, 2 Samruddhi Heights, DL Vaidya Road, Dadar (W) (). Daily 9am-8pm. Cash only. From R60.
Panshikar Sweets, 47/B Popatlal Chawl, Next to Axis Bank, Ranade Road, Dadar (W) (). Daily 8.30am-8.30pm. Cash only. From R70.

Vile Parle
Beyond the railway station on the east of Vile Parle, there is an eclectic mix of stores that probably has the solution to any of your shopping requirements. There are fruit and vegetable sellers lining the pavement while other small stores have everything from clothes to coffee and even snacks like chivda. We recommend stopping at Prabhu Kripa, a tiny shop that’s managed by siblings Ganesh and Gayatri Prabhu. The outlet was first established by their father and they still continue to prepare all the food themselves adhering to age-old recipes. Their most popular items are the various kinds of ladoos. Also stop by Heersons, known for its large date selection all year round. During the upcoming season, do try their range of chivdas which come in variants like the Mahalaxmi, Baroda, Nashik and the Heersons special. Also sample the different kinds of bhakarwadi like Poona, Baroda and sandwich.

Prabhu Kripa, MG Road, Vile Parle (E) (). Daily 9am-9pm. Cash only. From R60.
Heersons, B/14 Agarwal Market, Mongibai Road, Vile Parle (E) (). Daily 9am-9pm. All major cards. From R50.