Jalebis are sold by the pound at New India Bazaar.

Allison Young

Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, will shine across the globe this weekend. Indian markets and restaurants in the Valley are ready to celebrate.

The five-day festival commemorates the triumph of light over darkness, and goodness over evil. It is one of the most important holidays in India, and is traditionally celebrated with fireworks, family gatherings and lots of food. Sweets play a big role in the festivities, with friends and family often exchanging snacks and desserts.

This year, the main day of Diwali falls on Monday, with the festivities starting on Saturday. Valley restaurants are ready with special menus, events and plenty of sweets to help Phoenicians celebrate.

Enjoy flavorful Indian dishes at Feringhee Modern Indian Cuisine.

Feringhee Modern Indian Cuisine

Phoenix restaurants and markets celebrating Diwali:

New India Bazaar
2544 N. Seventh St.
Every year, New India Bazaar goes all out for Diwali. Inside the grocery store section of this market and restaurant, a table is set up filled with sweets of all colors and flavors. Outside, the team sets up a tent in the parking lot where they fry jalebi fresh to order. Jalebi are similar to tiny, ultra-crispy funnel cakes where swirls of dough are spun in hot oil to create a nest of crunchy goodness. The cooked dough is then dipped in sweet syrups. The sweets will be available at the Seventh Street spot daily through Oct. 21.

Feringhee Modern Indian Cuisine
3491 W. Frye Road, Chandler
Chandler fine-dining destination Feringhee is offering a special four-course menu for Diwali this year. Customers can choose between six appetizer options, six entree options and two desserts, before ending their meal with masala tea and hazelnut nankhatai, traditional, buttery shortbread cookies. The appetizer and entree selections include three vegetarian dishes and three meat dishes per category.

Start with a wild mushroom kebab with avocado koshimbir and mint chutney or taste Gongura Shrimp with onion uttapam flatbread, podi seasoning and peanut chutney. For your main, enjoy Lasooni Corn Palak with spinach saag, corn kofta and popcorn or dig into a spicy tamarind Chettinad fish curry. For dessert, indulge in a dark chocolate creme with masala chai ice cream or try honeycomb-like Malai Ghewar with strawberries. The four-couse menu is available from Oct. 17 through 21 and reservations can be made online.

Marigold Maison
4720 E. Cactus Road
Scottsdale Indian eatery Marigold Maison is celebrating the holiday with deals all week. Customers can order one Thali platter and get one free, and enjoy $6 beer and wine. The deals are available from Oct. 17 through 26 for dine-in lunch service only. The Thali plates come in four different options, featuring veggies, chicken, lamb or shrimp. Each combo plate includes an appetizer, masala and curry dish, basmati rice, naan and dessert.

Raithu Bazaar Indian Marketplace and Aanwanam Indian Kitchen
3130 E. Union Hills Dr., #104 and #106
Located on Union Hills Drive, the dual concept grocer and restaurant Raithu Bazaar and Aanwanam Indian Kitchen is helping the Valley celebrate with Diwali sales all weekend. From Oct. 16 to 20, score five samosas for $4 or take home 100 for $79. There will also be a mini festival set up in the parking lot, with food stalls serving customers under festive lights each night from Oct. 16 through 19 from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Treats on offer include $5 chaat and dosa, $3 street-style corn and chai and plenty more.

Sree Devaraya’s Indian Cuisine
4939 W. Ray Road, #1, Chandler
New Chandler Indian eatery Sree Devaraya’s (formerly New India Gate) is offering multiple specials for Diwali. On Oct. 18 and 19, customers can enjoy a Banthi Bhojanam, a vegetarian family meal with over 30 items, for $25.99 per person. Three time slots are available and reservations can be made online. Ages five and under can eat for free and kids up to 10 can participate for $9.99. The restaurant also offers handmade sweets in multiple flavors and varieties, available by the half-pound or pound.

Indibar
6208 N. Scottsdale Road, Paradise Valley
Paradise Valley upscale Indian eatery, Indibar, will ring in the holiday with a special four-course menu for $65 per person. Start with a small snack before digging into a veggie appetizer platter or the chef’s signature platter with tandoori dill salmon and dakshini murgh tikka. Next, choose between the murgh korma with chicken or Kashmiri tomato paneer. Dessert options are a rasmalai tres leches or chai and biskoot. The special menu will be available on Oct. 18 and 19 and reservations can be made online.