Halwa Ceremony: Know about the North Block ritual ahead of Union Budget

"A customary Halwa ceremony is performed every year before the 'lock-in' process of Budget preparation begins," the finance ministry said.

The North Block of Parliament, the seat of the Union Ministry of Finance, hosted the traditional Halwa Ceremony on July 16. The ritual marks the final stage of preparing the budget.

With the Union Budget for 2024-25 scheduled on July 23, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary took part in the event on Tuesday along with senior officials of the ministry.

What is the Halwa Ceremony?

Halwa, a traditional sweet dish, is integral to any kind of auspicious occasion in India. The Halwa Ceremony is hosted as a mark of celebration for the biggest financial exercise of the country every year. A large kadhai (wok) is used to prepare the dish. The finance minister, along with her key officials, ritualistically stirs the kadhai and serves the halwa to everyone involved in the budget-making process. The event also hails the hard work put in by the finance ministry officials for the making of the Union Budget.

Significance of the Ceremony

The ceremony signifies the commencement of the budget 'lock-in' period at the finance ministry. During this time, all officials and staff directly involved in the budget preparation are required to stay within the ministry premises until the budget is tabled in Parliament.

It serves as a recognition of the hard work and dedication of the finance ministry officials who have been diligently preparing the budget documents.

Dating back to 1980, the Halwa Ceremony precedes the printing of the budget documents, which takes place at the basement of the North Block, a process that must be completed without any official leaving the premises until the budget is formally presented.

Beyond its ceremonial aspects, the event fosters a sense of solidarity and teamwork among the team members, reflecting on the collaborative effort required to finalise the nation's financial plans.

The Halwa Ceremony not only marks the beginning of the final stages of the budget preparation but also embodies the spirit of dedication and meticulousness in shaping India's fiscal policies. It stands as a testament to the traditions and protocols observed in one of the most significant events in the Indian governance calendar.

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