Diwali in South India carries its own rhythm of lights, sounds and flavours. While lamps and fireworks are common across the country, the sweets on offer change as you move from one southern state to another. In the South, festive treats are often made with jaggery, ghee, coconut and rice flour. These are all traditional foods that come from the area. Each sweet, like Mysore Pak from Karnataka, Athirasam from Tamil Nadu or Ariselu from Andhra Pradesh, tells a story about the people and the area where it comes from.
Below is a look at some of the most loved South Indian sweets you can gift this Diwali. Each with its own flavour and identity, and easily available to order through delivery platforms.
Mysore Pak – Karnataka’s Golden Delight
One of the most well-known desserts from the South is Mysore Pak. Krishnaraja Wadiyar’s time saw the first making of it in the royal kitchen of Mysore Palace. This sweet is rich, thick, and smells great. It only has three simple ingredients: gram flour, ghee, and sugar. The texture depends on how it is made. Some people like the hard, crumbly kind, while others like the soft, melt-in-your-mouth kind. People always love getting Mysore Pak gift boxes from traditional stores like Sri Krishna Sweets or Anand Sweets during Diwali.
Athirasam – The Tamil Nadu Favourite
Athirasam holds a special place in Tamil homes during Diwali. It is made with rice flour, jaggery syrup and cardamom, and then fry it until it’s golden brown. The fermentation process that gives it a soft inside and a crisp outside is what makes it special. The recipe dates back centuries. Interestingly, almost every family in Tamil Nadu has its own version. Giving Athirasam is more than just giving sweets, it’s about passing on a tradition from one generation to another.
Ariselu – Andhra Pradesh’s Traditional Treat
Like Athirasam, Ariselu is prepared with rice flour, jaggery and ghee. But with subtle differences in technique. It is a big part of the festive food in Andhra and Telangana. It has a slightly chewy texture and a sweet taste from jaggery. In many homes, it’s prepared in bulk and packed in steel tins to gift relatives and neighbours. Pulla Reddy Sweets and other stores sell real Ariselu that stays fresh for days and travels well.
Kozhukattai and Modakam – Sweet Offerings of the Gods
In Tamil Nadu and Kerala, Kozhukattai (also known as Modakam) is a festive essential. These steamed rice dumplings are filled with a mix of jaggery and grated coconut. While they are traditionally offered to Lord Ganesha, they also make for thoughtful gifts during Diwali — symbolising purity and good fortune. Many sweet shops now prepare them in attractive boxes, with modern versions including dry fruit or chocolate fillings.
Obbattu or Puran Poli – Sweet Flatbreads of Celebration
Obbattu, also known as Puran Poli in Maharashtra, has a distinct South Indian variation. The Karnataka and Andhra versions use chana dal and jaggery filling, while the Tamil version may include coconut. Soft, thin and ghee-brushed, these flatbreads make for an ideal festive gift, dessert or snack.
Payasam – The Quintessential South Indian Dessert
Payasam is a must-have for any South Indian celebration. Each area has its own style of payasam. For example, Kerala’s creamy Pal Payasam, Tamil Nadu’s jaggery-based Aval Payasam and Karnataka’s moong dal version are all different. Payasam mixes are now available in ready-to-cook packs, which makes them an ideal make at home sweet or gift for people who like traditional sweets but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.
Ordering South Indian Sweets
Many renowned outlets, such as Sri Krishna Sweets, Adyar Ananda Bhavan and Pulla Reddy Sweets, offer Diwali gift boxes that can be ordered directly through the Zomato app. You can schedule deliveries, include personalised notes, and even send them to multiple addresses across cities.