Budget: What is ‘halwa’ ceremony?

Sandeep Singh Jul 17,2024

The ‘halwa’ ceremony is both a traditional and symbolic event that marks the onset of the printing process of Budget documents in India.

Attended by the Finance Minister along with other senior ministry officials and staff involved in the Budget preparation process.

Halwa Ceremony

[{"selector":"#anim-cd077ec6-d82b-47b5-a2c9-2d0a8a4e11b3 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-2.0614228932172645%, 23.584905660377366%) scale(1.4716981132075473)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4c79fbd9-437c-4263-aa17-2d94690004a3","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(1)","scale(1.5)","scale(0.95)","scale(1)"],"offset":[0,0.33,0.66,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1450,"easing":"ease-in-out","fill":"both","iterations":1}] [{"selector":"#anim-c55407e0-1f78-4fe5-8067-c71bd5c11463","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The ceremony typically takes place a few days before the presentation of the Union Budget in Parliament.

Halwa Ceremony

[{"selector":"#anim-c154fdd3-a1fa-40cd-865e-e214f1b70584 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-2.0535352424836923%, 23.584905660377366%) scale(1.4716981132075473)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8127a299-97f9-47ad-a283-26d9653c93ca","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(1)","scale(1.5)","scale(0.95)","scale(1)"],"offset":[0,0.33,0.66,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1450,"easing":"ease-in-out","fill":"both","iterations":1}] [{"selector":"#anim-c4afcac6-4f3a-4eeb-8b5d-8f417d1ebabc","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] It is conducted at the North Block of the Ministry of Finance in the national capital, where the Finance Ministry is headquartered.

Halwa Ceremony

[{"selector":"#anim-d02e5d6f-a1a3-4ebe-8e51-dac1bd772455 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-1.9028359767194274%, 23.584905660377366%) scale(1.4716981132075473)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-46f521fb-6a82-4ef7-a64b-277985e962fb","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(1)","scale(1.5)","scale(0.95)","scale(1)"],"offset":[0,0.33,0.66,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1450,"easing":"ease-in-out","fill":"both","iterations":1}] [{"selector":"#anim-0775ef1f-6b68-465b-9094-c8dc5347a421","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The highlight of the ceremony is the cooking and distribution of 'halwa'.

Halwa Ceremony

[{"selector":"#anim-8ce4785d-3e1c-49ff-b1aa-a41829fff23a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-1.9028359767194274%, 23.584905660377366%) scale(1.4716981132075473)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d34b8c5b-2f13-44e5-bd34-3e58b766da5e","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(1)","scale(1.5)","scale(0.95)","scale(1)"],"offset":[0,0.33,0.66,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1450,"easing":"ease-in-out","fill":"both","iterations":1}] [{"selector":"#anim-0ac42910-b878-4c71-9bb5-2262cb5bc4cb","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The preparation and distribution of halwa symbolise secrecy and confidentiality related to the budget-making process.

Halwa Ceremony

[{"selector":"#anim-b52b9eaa-58c0-4945-bde3-a39e12f0f32d [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(11.96180275042631%, -23.58490088996806%) scale(1.4716981132075473)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-467d7fb0-b714-4579-acee-576f5717074b","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(1)","scale(1.5)","scale(0.95)","scale(1)"],"offset":[0,0.33,0.66,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1450,"easing":"ease-in-out","fill":"both","iterations":1}] [{"selector":"#anim-bbff1f90-dae8-4273-aa36-158f5e1d4cfd","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] A strict lockdown of the printing press follows the serving of halwa.

Halwa Ceremony

[{"selector":"#anim-fad629bb-85de-4eeb-89e3-9572699ed4d0 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-2.0653894847193786%, 23.584905660377366%) scale(1.4716981132075473)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0e064d09-73bd-4c15-b76a-2c304d958a5d","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(1)","scale(1.5)","scale(0.95)","scale(1)"],"offset":[0,0.33,0.66,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1450,"easing":"ease-in-out","fill":"both","iterations":1}] [{"selector":"#anim-fe6cf3cb-d6c9-4009-a49e-3d3b171c1c74","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Officials directly involved in the budget-making process are isolated until the documents are presented in Parliament.

Budget: What is ‘halwa’ ceremony?

The ‘halwa’ ceremony is both a traditional and symbolic event that marks the onset of the printing process of Budget documents in India.

Attended by the Finance Minister along with other senior ministry officials and staff involved in the Budget preparation process.

Halwa Ceremony

Halwa Ceremony

Halwa Ceremony

Halwa Ceremony

Halwa Ceremony

Halwa Ceremony

Excise vs Customs | Learn key differences