Today is popularly celebrated as Pancake Tuesday by Catholics in Mumbai, and around the world. It is observed a day before Lent, which starts on Ash Wednesday, to finish all the eggs and fats in the home, before the period of fasting
Every year, Mumbai's Catholics including the Goan, Mangalorean and East Indian communities make pancakes for Pancake Tuesday before Ash Wednesday that marks the period of Lent before Easter. Photos Courtesy: Jeanelle Rodrigues/Dinelle Lobo/Krislyn Gomes
Key Highlights
- Every year, the Catholic community makes pancakes for Pancake Tuesday before Ash Wednesday
- The tradition is followed to finish all the rich food to prepare for fasting during Lent
- Over the years, recipes have changed to include jaggery instead of sugar, and more colour
Bandra-based Gazella Thomas remembers how she used to look forward to Shrove Tuesday, more popularly called Pancake Tuesday in Mumbai, long before it was coming simply because of the delicious pancakes. While the plan used to be to enjoy them again after Easter, the time would never come, she shares. “The delicious experience of savouring each pancake was gone too fast for just a single Tuesday. The next day you looked at those pancakes in the fridge with a spirit of self-control marking the season of Lent and you wish you had more time,” Thomas shares the sentiment of every other member of the Catholic community in Mumbai around her as they observe Pancake Tuesday today.