The festival of Diwali feels incomplete without traditional sweets and celebratory treats that bring families together. In Bhilwara, a unique delicacy is prepared specifically for this festive season, one that locals eagerly anticipate throughout the entire year. Known as Murke, this sweet visually resembles a jalebi but is roughly twice as thick and crafted from urad dal. What makes this creation particularly distinctive is its seasonal availability, as it is produced strictly once a year during Diwali. According to local customs, Murke holds such high significance that Laxmi pujan rituals are traditionally considered incomplete without it.
A Century-Old Legacy Preserved by Five Generations
Local belief dictates that the festive worship of the goddess of wealth requires the presence of these traditional sweets. Rajkumar Jain shared that the practice of making Murke using pure desi ghee and urad dal dates back to the year 1921 in their family. This culinary tradition was originally initiated by his grandfather and father, and today the fifth generation of the family continues to uphold it with immense dedication and hard work. Because they are handcrafted exclusively for the Diwali festival, their limited availability adds to their distinct cultural value within the region.
Reaching Every Household Across Bhilwara
Rajkumar Jain noted that Murke from their establishment finds its way into almost every household and family across Bhilwara during the festive season. During the auspicious hours of Laxmi pujan, these sweets are proudly offered as prasad. The unwavering support and appreciation from the residents of Bhilwara have sustained this enterprise for decades. Their primary focus remains ensuring customer satisfaction while keeping this age-old culinary heritage alive. Highlighting the core ingredient, Rajkumar Jain emphasized that their Murke is prepared using exclusively pure urad dal to maintain its authentic flavor and texture.
Exporting Traditional Flavors Beyond National Borders
The preparation of Murke involves precise quantities of pure desi ghee and sugar, which gives the sweet its characteristic thickness and rich taste. One of its remarkable qualities is that it remains exceptionally delicious even after cooling down. The demand for these sweets is not confined to Bhilwara or the state of Rajasthan alone; orders are placed from various parts across India as well as foreign countries. People frequently arrange for these sweets to be shipped specially to their relatives and guests living abroad, carrying the distinct taste of traditional Bhilwara across international borders.
