From Politics to 'Pakwans': Rahul Gandhi Turns Halwai at Old Delhi's Famous Ghantewala Sweet Shop - Watch

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday shared a video of himself trying his hand at making imarti and besan laddoo at Old Delhi's historic Ghantewala sweet shop as he extended Diwali greetings and urged people to share how they are celebrating the festival.In a post on X, Gandhi said the essence of Diwali lies in relationships and community as much as in the sweets and celebrations.“Tried my hand at making imarti and besan laddoo at the famous and historic Ghantewala sweet shop in old Delhi,” the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha wrote. “The sweetness of this centuries-old, iconic shop remains the same — pure, traditional, and heartwarming.”He added, “The true sweetness of Diwali lies not just in the thali, but also in relationships and community.

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In a separate post, Gandhi wished the nation a joyous and prosperous Diwali. “May India be illuminated with the lamps of joy, may the light of happiness, prosperity, and love spread in every home,” he said.The video shows Gandhi visiting the renowned sweet shop in Chandni Chowk, where the owner recalls serving his grandmother, father, and other members of the Gandhi family. The shopkeeper jokes that they now await the day they can prepare sweets for Gandhi’s wedding, prompting the Congress leader to smile.Gandhi can be seen mixing batter and shaping sweets alongside the shop staff. He also commented on the effort and skill required in the traditional method of preparation, noting that the craft and flavour have stood the test of time.The Ghantewala sweet shop, founded in the 18th century, is among Delhi’s oldest and most iconic confectioneries. Launched in 1790 by Lala Sukh Lal Jain, today it is run by the seventh generation of founders. The outlet suffered a financial setback in 2015 and had to shut down. The iconic centuries-old sweet shop in Chandni Chowk reopened after nine years, in 2024.