Thandai recipe & festival dates
A widely shared Thandai recipe with homemade masala powder is circulating as a vegan, authentic Holi beverage option, timed with a cluster of spring observances — Pradosh Vrat on March 30, Mahavir Jayanti reported for March 30 or 31, and Hanuman Jayanti on April 2. Good reads if you want to celebrate at home or plan temple visits with correct timings ( ).
Ericka’s published recipe lists a nut-and-spice mix of almonds, cashews, pistachios, poppy and melon seeds, fennel, cardamom, black pepper, cinnamon and nutmeg as the core Thandai masala and recommends soaking saffron in warm milk for colour and aroma. (erickarecipes.com) Food outlets covering this season note two common preparation routes: a dry-roasted, ground “instant” masala powder for quick mixing, or a soaked-and-blended paste that yields a silkier texture — NDTV highlights both methods and the flavor/texture trade-offs. (food.ndtv.com) Homemade masala storage advice across recipe sites converges on airtight jars plus refrigeration to extend freshness: bloggers recommend refrigerating roasted powder to keep it stable for several weeks to a few months, and roasting first to reduce moisture and increase shelf life. (cookwithrenu.com) Panchang calculations show the Trayodashi tithi for Mahavir Jayanti begins 07:09 IST on March 30 and ends 06:55 IST on March 31, which explains why publications and temple calendars list March 31, 2026 as the observance day. (drikpanchang.com) Pradosh Vrat this cycle falls on March 30, with several panchang-based listings giving the evening Pradosh puja window (Pradosh Kaal) roughly between 18:38–20:57 IST on March 30, and local temple muhurats advised to follow city-specific sunset timings. (indiatvnews.com) Chaitra Purnima — the date used for Hanuman Jayanti — spans April 1–2 in the 2026 panchang; most national calendars apply the udaya-tithi rule and list Hanuman Jayanti on April 2, 2026, with Purnima tithi ending around 07:41 IST on April 2. (drikpanchang.com) For dairy-free technique notes: recipe tests and vegan recipe authors report full‑fat oat, almond or coconut milks reproduce the traditional creaminess best, require less simmering than cow’s milk, and that skipping milk powder and using ground cashew/almond paste smooths texture in non‑dairy versions. (thewhiskaddict.com)
