Pravin my friend from Ambajogai (nearby Latur) in the month of February invited me to attend the Hurda Party at his 7-acre plot.

Have you ever attended a Hurda party yet? – He question.

No – my prompt reply.

These parties are conducted by the farmers on their farms. They welcome guests to experience nature – said Pravin.

Tender fresh Jowar (sorghum) is called Hurda in the Marathi language. Hurda is very tasteful.

Hurda parties typically begin in the late afternoon and may continue till late night. You will enjoy Hurda party. I am here to serve you the sweetest Jowar which you would have never tasted before.

Hurda – the tender and sweet seeds of Jowar freshly plucked off the plant and roasted and served in the farm with garlic or coconut/groundnut chutney, and sometimes with green/red chilies pickles.

Jowar is high in fiber and rich in energy – said Pravin.

It will be a mind-blowing experience to eat sweet ripe Jowar along with a bonfire in the late evening hours.

Hurda is one of the most famous rural farm feasts held in the month of January/February in Maharashtra.

Tempting, isn’t it? – Pravin smiled.

Mango, Tamarind, Neem, Wheat, Onion, Lettuce, Eggplant, Spinach, Cabbage, Jowar, and Bajra are the crops and vegetables grown inside our plot. But to be honest, Wheat here in Ambajogai is an unnatural crop because it requires lots of water to grow. The actual cultivation should be of Jowar and Bajra. Jowar is the main crop of this region. Jowar is planted in the fields in October and harvested in February. And finally, Jowar flour is made in the market to be sold to customers.

Jowar grains are cleaned by hand and then roasted on burning twigs of a tree or cow dung or hot coal ashes. It gives an earthy taste. It requires skill to roast Jowar in a way that it does not become too dry.

Jowar crop grows in most of the regions of Maharashtra. Somewhere in the month of January/February, tender stalks of Jowar are ready in farms. The tender green pulses are roasted and served with chutney.

When people come together to enjoy this in a farm, it is called a Hurda party.

This is a tradition in villages where they celebrate the happiness of the first ripe in the form of Hurda party.

Hurda is nothing but the early stage crop – the tender Jowar.

Lime if added makes the flavour more delicious.

The Hurda parties are a great idea to bring guests together to enjoy the mild sun in winter and eat nutritious Hurda.

The green Jowar is juicy and chewy, with fresh flavours in every bite.

I am coming – my immediate reply. Thanks for the invitation as well as enhancing my knowledge about the Hurda party.