Hosting a Diwali party? Browse through this vegetarian Diwali menu. Included are snacks and Diwali dinner menu ideas. You can find easy Diwali recipes and beautiful traditional recipes.
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Welcome to our Diwali Dinner Party, where we have curated a menu that reflects the rich and diverse culinary traditions of India. Each dish a delightful celebration of flavours and textures. Our menu has been thoughtfully crafted to offer a delectable journey from fragrant appetizers to sumptuous main courses and decadent desserts. Every dish on this menu is a testament to the joy and togetherness that Diwali brings. So, sit back, relax, and indulge in a feast that not only honours tradition but also embraces the spirit of this special occasion.
Certain Diwali food is unique to this time of the year so you will not find the usual daily curries here - this food menu is curated for a special festive meal. The festive season is all about indulgence and I love to showcase the best recipes during special occasions! Afterall, the Diwali celebration is the biggest Indian festival of the year!
To see my FULL list of 150+ recipes, browse this Diwali Sweets and Snacks - you will find Gujarati, Bengali, North Indian sweets including halwa, barfi and penda. There are also lots of different snacks.
For a Diwali Dinner Party, I would suggest picking one or two starters, one or two main courses, a rice dish, a bread and a dessert or two!
If you want to prepare Gujarati dinner go to my Gujarati thali list.
Diwali Snacks
Dry snacks such as chivda are a great appetizer!
Kenya Style Chevdo/Chevro
Kenyan Chevdo/Chevda is sweet, spicy and incredibly tasty. It’s a delicious blend of deep-fried potato crisps, beaten rice, fried beans, lentils, nuts and some basic spices. This East-African savoury snack is crunchy and full of flavour.
Kenyan Chevdo
Cereal Chevdo
Cereal Chevdo is a crispy Indian snack mix made with a mix of packaged cereals, nuts and spices. This quick and easy savoury trail mix is mildly spiced, sweet, crunchy and totally addictive. It makes a great tea time snack but is delicious enough to be served on Diwali!
Mixed Cereal Chevdo
Cornflakes Chivda | Cornflakes Mixture | Makai no Chevdo
This Cornflakes Chivda or Cornflakes Mixture recipe is a delicious savoury snack made with corn poha, nuts and spices! It is perfect for Indian festivals such as Diwali.
Cornflakes Chevdo
Farsi Puri Recipe (Gujarati Snack for Diwali)
Farsi Puri is a traditional Diwali savoury snack recipe from Gujarati cuisine that is crispy and flaky. This traditional Gujarati snack is made with 5 ingredients such as plain flour, semolina and basic spices. It is the perfect and tasty teatime exclusive snack that melts-in-your-mouth with a hot cup of tea.
Gujarati Farsi Puri
Diwali Dinner Starters
Onion Bhaji
This is the best Onion Bhaji recipe! Like it makes ridiculously good onion bhajis! These Indian Onion Fritters are a delicious side dish or appetizer, perfect for curry night! This easy recipe is vegan, gluten-free and tastes like your local takeaway but better!
Restaurant Style Onion Bhaji
Szechuan Paneer Puff Pastry Swirls (Pinwheels)
Szechuan Paneer Puff Pastry Swirls are a fun vegetarian Indian-fusion appetiser with all the flavours and textures! You've got creamy paneer and veggies inside crispy puff pastry flavoured with tongue-tingling schezwan sauce.
Szechuan Paneer Puff Pastry
Methi Na Gota
Gujarati Methi na Gota are irresistible deep-fried fritters made with gram flour and fresh fenugreek leaves. They're famous for being served at tea time with besan kadhi chutney or as a farsan.
Gujarati Methi na Gota
Dakor Na Gota
Prepare these Dakor na Gota, a classic Gujarati snack, made with coarse chickpea flour, spices and dairy.
Dakor na Gota
AIR FRYER PUNJABI SAMOSA PUFFS (Puff Pastry Samosas)
Buttery puff pastry filled with delicious Indian Punjabi samosa mixture and air fried. These flakey vegetable puffs are delicious and easy to make.
Air Fryer Punjabi Samosa Puffs
Samosa Tart (Tarte Au Soleil)
Samosa Tarte Au Soleil is a showstopping vegetarian appetizer. It's an irresistable combination of delicate puff pastry, a potato pea samosa filling with festive wensleydale cheese.
Puff Pastry Samosa Tart
Pyaaz Kachori Pinwheels
Flaky puff pastry pinwheels filled with a spiced onion mixture inspired by classic Rajasthani pyaaz kachori. The perfect Indian fusion snack or party starter.
Pyaaz Kachori Pinwheels
Moong Dal Dhokla (with Garlic)
Moong Dal Dhokla are a Gujarati specialty made with mag ni dal. I love adding garlic to make lasaniya dhokla—a delicious, fermented snack with an extra burst of flavour.
Moong Dal Dhokla
Malai Broccoli
This restaurant style Malai Broccoli is the perfect fusion appetizer to impress your dinner party guests. Broccoli florets are grilled in a spiced cream and cream cheese marinade.
Tandoori Malai Broccoli
Chilli Lime Accordion Potatoes
These chilli lime accordion potatoes are an Indian take on the viral TikTok trend! Lattice cut slices of potatoes are coated in a tongue tingly masala then baked or air fried until crispy outside and soft inside.
Chilli Lime Accordion Potatoes
Tandoori Paneer Tarte au Soleil
A sun tart with an Indian twist is air fried in the air fryer, the filling is Tandoori Paneer for a delicious appetizer or snack. This Tarte is not only looking beautiful but so easy to make. Only takes 30 minutes to make.
Tandoori Paneer Tarte au Soleil
Khatta Dhokla
Gujarati Khatta Dhokla are fermented and steamed savoury cakes made with lentils, rice and sour yogurt.
Khatta Dhokla
Easy Poppadoms Recipe
Poppadoms are a delicious Indian appetizer popular in Indian restaurants. With this quick and easy homemade poppadom recipe, you can prepare perfectly crunchy poppadoms to serve during curry night! Included are fried, tava cooked, air fryer and microwave recipes.
Homemade Poppadoms
Sandwich Dhokla
Sandwich dhokla are a colourful twist on Gujarati dhokla and are served as a farsan in a Gujarati thali. Tangy and vibrant green chutney is layered between two spongy white dhokla.
Sandwich Dhokla
Indian Street Food:
Serve this popular street food as an exciting appetizer!
If serving, try to keep a gap before serving out the mains - I find that the strong flavours of chaat can make the mains seem a bit dull.
Hash Brown & Pineapple Chaat
Indian style loaded hash browns or chaat, is a fun fusion snack that's full of flavour!
Hash Brown Chaat
Dhokla Chaat
This dhokla chaat is exploding with flavour - perfect for a snack time treat or prepared for a large gathering.
Khaman Dhokla Chaat
Dahi Sev Puri
Dahi Sev Puri is a popular Indian street food chaat made with crispy puris, spiced potatoes, sweetened yogurt, chutneys, and sev. This easy-to-make snack is perfect for festivals, dinner parties, or anytime chaat cravings hit.
Dahi Puri
Papdi Chaat
Papdi Chaat or Papri Chaat is a popular Indian street food recipe where crispy papdi are topped with sev, potatoes and tangy chutneys.
Aloo Papdi Chaat
Best Bhel Puri (step by step video recipe)
Bhel Puri is a popular Mumbai street food snack prepared using crispy puffed rice, puri or papdi, vegetables, sev (gram flour vermicelli) and three types of chutneys. This street style bhel recipe is a quick and easy recipe tasting similar to the bhel puri recipe found in the streets of Mumbai.
Street Style Bhel Puri
Samosa Chaat Recipe (quick and easy)
Samosa Chaat is a style of Indian chaat recipes that is prepared with crispy samosa, chickpea curry, chaat chutney and fine sev. In this easy Samosa Chaat recipe, I have prepared spiced chickpeas instead of chole for a quick appetizer that can be prepared in less than 30 minutes.
Easy Samosa Chaat without Chole
Stuffing and Pani for Pani Puri
Pani Puri, Golgappa or Puchka is a popular Indian street food snack. Crispy deep-fried hollow puri are stuffed with a chickpea potato masala, sweet imli chutney and spicy mint water.
Stuffing and Water for Pani Puri
Pani Puri Puri Recipe
Make perfectly crispy and puffed puri for pani puri at home with this easy recipe. With the right dough and frying tips, you’ll get crunchy puris that are perfect for golgappa, puchka, or any chaat platter.
Puri for Pani Puri Recipe
Smashed Potato Chaat
A twist to the traditional Indian street food favourite, chaat, with adding smashed potatoes to create the ultimate fusion recipe.
Smashed Potato Chaat
See my full list of chaat and Indian street food recipes
Diwali Dinner Main course ideas
Serve these showstopping curries for Diwali that are full of rich buttery flavours.
Malai Kofta
Indian fine dining style Malai Kofta. Meltingly soft stuffed paneer and potato balls are served in a silky sweet cream gravy.
Restaurant Style Malai Kofta
Navratan Korma
Navratan Korma, or nine-gem curry, is a creamy Indian vegetable curry recipe. A variety of vegetables, fruit and nuts are cooked in a rich and creamy gravy.Â
Navratan Korma
Paneer Makhani (Paneer Butter Masala)
For Paneer Makhani, soft paneer pieces are simmered in an exquisite, rich and silky sauce made with butter, onion, tomato, cashews and aromatic spices. Perfect as part of your Diwali dinner menu.
Paneer Makhani
Paneer Palak Kofta Curry
In this Paneer Palak Kofta Curry, soft palak koftas are simmered in a creamy gravy made with a base of onion and tomato. It is an exciting twist on the authentic palak paneer.Â
Paneer Palak Kofta
Authentic Chana Masala Recipe: Easy Vegan Chickpea Curry
This authentic chana masala follows a traditional Punjabi recipe and is naturally vegan. The steps for this Indian chickpea curry are easy to follow.
Easy Authentic Chana Masala
Shahi Paneer
My version of Mughlai Shahi Paneer is made restaurant-style with soft cubes of paneer simmered in a rich and creamy tomato gravy. It's perfect for special occasions thanks to the aromatic spices, nuts, saffron and lashings of cream.
Restaurant Style Shahi Paneer
Panch Phoran Paneer
Just when you think you've exhausted paneer recipes, here is one more! Paneer Panch Phoran is a creamy and rich recipe filled with warming flavours.
Panch Phoran Paneer
Aloo Butter Masala (Makhani)
New Potato Butter Masala made with summery Jersey Royals is a luscious vegetarian curry with a British twist. It has a slight sweetness to complement the silkiest of gravies
Aloo Butter Masala
It is a great alternative to Paneer Butter Masala.
Paneer Kali Mirch (Black Pepper Paneer)
Paneer Kali Mirch is a creamy paneer curry that is flavoured with freshly cracked black pepper. The creamy gravy is a rich combination of cream, thick yogurt and cashew.
Paneer Kali Mirch
Paneer Vegetable Makhanwala
My version of veg paneer makhanwala is made without onion and garlic. Instead, the creamy sauce is made with a carefully chosen aromatic blend of whole spices, nuts, saffron and cream.
Paneer Subz Makhanwala
Paneer Pasanda
Melt in the mouth paneer is filled with a nutty coriander filling then grilled. It's paired with a silky and creamy gravy prepared with tomato, nuts and aromatic Indian spices.
Paneer Pasanda
Niramish Paneer
Amazing Niramish Paneer – a creamy and flavourful Paneer Curry that is my version of the classic Bengali Niramish curries. It is rich, delicious and cooked without onion-garlic.
Paneer Niramish
Khoya Kaju
Elevate your Indian dinner party with this ultra creamy and rich Khoya Kaju Curry. Ghee fried cashew nuts are simmered in a white cream and mawa gravy which is slightly sweet and flavoured with spices.
Kaju Khoya Curry
See my full list of authentic Indian vegetarian curry recipes
Sides
Dal Maharani
Dal Maharani is a rich and creamy North Indian dish made with whole urad dal, chana dal, and red kidney beans, slow-cooked with aromatic spices, ghee, and cream. This restaurant-style dal is perfect for festive meals, dinner parties, or when you want a indulgent vegetarian main.
Black Lentil Dal Maharani with Tadka
Dhaba Style Dal Fry
This Dhaba Style Dal Fry Recipe is a delicious Indian dish prepared with lentils, onion tomato masala and Indian spices. The dal is tempered in ghee for an incredible rich flavour that tastes just like Indian restaurants or dhabas.Â
Dhaba Style Dal Fry
Dal Makhani
A rich and creamy restaurant-style dal makhani made with whole urad, rajma, butter, cream and kasuri methi. The lentils are pressure-cooked until soft, then simmered on the stove with tomato masala.
Creamy Dal Makhani
Sultani Dal
Sultani Dal is a royal dal that takes inspiration from Mughal kitchens. Toor dal is simmered with cream and yogurt and finished with saffron to create a silky and luscious dish.
Awadhi Sultani Dal
Bengali Cholar Dal (Chana Dal with Coconut)
Cholar Dal is a Bengali Dal made with grated coconut and raisins. It's an aromatic no onion garlic dal.
Bengali Coconut Chana Dal
Hyderabadi Khatti Dal
Hyderabadi Dal or khatti dal is a deliciously tangy dal made with toor dal, dhuli moong and masoor dal. Tamarind water (imli) is added to give a unique sour flavour.
Hyderabadi Khatti Dal
Cucumber Raita with Mint
Cucumber Raita is a cooling Indian yogurt dip made with yogurt, grated cucumber and mint. It is served alongside poppadoms, biryani, pulao or any other Indian meal.
Cucumber Mint Raita
Fruit Raita
This cooling mixed fruit raita is a cooling Indian side dish made with yogurt, fruit, mint and chaat masala.
Mixed Fruit Raita
Festive Indian Salad (Diwali Salad)
Pair this festive Indian salad alongside your Indian meals. Julienne beetroot, carrot and apple are all dressed in a chilli Indian salad dressing.
Festive Indian Beetroot and Carrot Salad
Rice dishes
Shahi Pulao
This regal rice recipe, or Shahi Pulao, is an aromatic Indian rice dish made with nuts and luxurious spices. It is typically prepared for dinner parties, festivities and special occasions.
Shahi Pulao
Jeera Rice (Indian Cumin Rice)
This is how I make perfect jeera rice where every grain is separate, fluffy and non-sticky! I follow a simple recipe that has few ingredients (basmati rice and cumin seeds) yet tastes like a dish you'd find in a fine dining restaurant. I've also included how I make jeera rice in the Instant Pot.Â
Fluffy Indian Cumin Rice
Jeera rice - this remains the perfect side dish for curries and dals. It is delicately perfumed with cumin yet doesn't overpower any other flavours.
Paneer Tikka Biryani
This paneer tikka biryani combines smoky tandoori paneer with fragrant basmati rice, crispy onions and layers of spices. Perfect for a special gathering!
Paneer Tikka Biryani
Vegetable Pulao Recipe
Vegetable Pulao, or Veg Pulao, is a delicious Indian one-pot rice dish. This pulao recipe is made with fresh vegetables and aromatic spices for a light main or side dish.Â
Mixed Veg Pulao
Peas Pulao (Matar Pulao)
Green peas pulao, or matar pulao, is an Indian and Pakistani rice dish made with basmati rice, whole spices, green peas and mint. Easy enough to make any day, but luxurious enough to serve for a dinner party.
Matar Pulao
See my full list of Indian rice dishes
Dips
Poppadom Dips
These are the best 3 poppadom dips and sauces that are served in Indian restaurants alongside crunchy poppadoms and starters. These 3 Indian condiments are Mango Chutney, Indian Mint Sauce and Indian Onion Chutney.
Indian Restaurant Poppadom Dips
Samosa Sauce Recipe - Samosa Dipping Sauces
Samosa dipping sauces are the flavourful companions for crispy samosas and Indian appetizers. Choose from red, green and brown samosa sauces to add a burst of taste to every bite. Included is a video for an easy sweet red samosa chutney.
Samosa Dipping Sauces
Tamarind Sauce Recipe
Tamarind Sauce is the perfect dipping sauce for poppadoms, samosas and other appetizers. The easy recipe is made from tamarind, jaggery and basic spices.
Indian Tamarind Sauce
Green Chutney (Mint Coriander Chutney)
Green chutney or hari chutney is a vibrant, smooth accompaniment made with fresh mint, coriander, green chillies and lemon juice. I love it because it's no-cook and can be ready in 5 minutes, with just 5 ingredients.
Green Coriander Mint Chutney for Chaat
Red Chutney for Chaat
This vibrant red garlic chutney is perfect for any Indian chaats that is made with only 2 ingredients and comes together in less than five minutes.
Red Garlic Chutney for Chaat
Pineapple Raita
Make this sweet and tangy Pineapple Raita (Ananas Raita) in less than 10 minutes. Fresh (or tinned) pineapple is swirled through plain yogurt with roasted jeeru, chaat masala, red chilli powder and mint leaves.
Get the recipe
Breads
Crispy puri is often served in Gujarati households during the festival of Diwali.
You could also go for Garlic and Coriander Butter Naan or Peshwari Naan which is stuffed with rich coconut and sultana
Rotlis (rotis) or Chapatis will pair well with pretty much any main course.
Poori (Puri)
Poori is an unleavened deep-fried Indian flatbread that can be enjoyed alongside savoury and sweet Indian dishes. This recipe makes perfect saadi puri that are puffed and soft.
Puri
Peshwari Naan
This naan is filled with coconut, almond, pistachio nuts and sultana. Follow this traditional naan recipe to achieve perfectly chewy and soft restaurant style Peshwari Naans that are dotted with charred airy pockets and bubbles.
Homemade Peshwari Naan
Garlic Coriander Naan
Make restaurant-style garlic & coriander naan in your own kitchen without too much effort!
Garlic Coriander Naan
Gujarati Rotli
Gujarati rotli are thin and soft flatbreads made simply with whole wheat flour and water. They are finished on the stove top to make them puffy.
Soft Gujarati Rotli
MASALA LACHHA PARATHA
These delicious and crispy masala lachha parathas are so popular amongst the Indian community. BTW, lachha means layers in Hindi.
Masala Lachha Paratha
Diwali Sweets Menu
For a complete list of modern Indian sweets, visit this Indian Fusion Desserts selection.
These are the most popular Indian desserts during Diwali but you could also browse this list of Easy Indian sweets for dinner parties or Indian Milk Sweets.
Gulab Jamun
Want to make homemade gulab jamun but never found the perfect recipe? This one will answer all of your gulab jamun woes so that you can achieve the best results every single time. Makes perfect jamuns that are just like those found in mithai shops - soft + spongy for days, moist in the middle with an even colour all over.
Gulab Jamun with Khoya
Kala Jamun
Deep fried balls made with mawa and paneer are drenched in a sugar syrup. These Kala Jamun are perfectly soft & spongy inside.
Kala Jamun
Gulab Jamun Cheesecake
This Gulab Jamun Cheesecake recipe is a showstopping Indian fusion dessert that is perfect for a Diwali party or celebration. It is also an instant no bake so can be served immediately or made ahead of time.
Eggless Gulab Jamun Cheesecake Jars
Gajar Halwa | Carrot Halwa
Gajar halwa, a sumptuous Indian sweet prepared with fresh carrots, milk and sugar. My version is made with mawa for extra richness and a delicately grainy texture.
Gajar Halwa with Mawa
HOMEMADE SOFT RAS MALAI
Rasmalai is a popular milk-based Indian dessert that hails from the eastern parts of India, West Bengal. Soft, juicy, and delicious Rasmalai prepared with paneer and milk cream.
Soft Ras Malai with Chhena
Moong Dal Halwa
This rich, delicious and nutty Moong Dal Halwa is a Rajasthani winter delicacy. It is made using yellow moong lentils, sugar and ghee. Serve on occasions such as Diwali, Holi, Raksha Bandhan and weddings.
Moong Dal Halwa
Shrikhand
This easy 5 minutes shrikhand recipe makes a creamy sweet shrikhand with greek yogurt and whipped cream without straining the yogurt.
Shrikhand with Greek Yogurt
The following sweets are all made with gram flour (chickpea flour) but the techniques and adjustments in ingredients give them all unique flavours and textures
Gujarati Magas (Magaj)
Magas or Magaj is an authentic Gujarati sweet made during Diwali. This melt in the mouth sweet is made with roasted gram flour, ghee and sugar.
Gujarati Magas
Mohanthal Recipe
The ultimate Diwali mithai has to be Gujarati Mohanthal! This recipe contains mawa or khoya to create proper crumbly Mohanthal that is as good as kandoi or mithai shops. This style of perfect Mohanthal is readily found in temples and in Havelis (Vaishnav temples) around the world.
Mohanthal with Mawa
Dhilo Mohanthal (Loose Mohanthal)
Dhilo Mohanthal, also known as Lachko Mohanthal, is an incredible sweet from Gujarat and Rajasthan that is commonly served on Diwali. It follows an almost identical recipe to Mohanthal except it is served loose in bowls rather than set into squares.
Dhilo Mohanthal
Besan Barfi
Besan Barfi is a popular festive Indian sweet prepared with gram flour, ghee and sugar. This North Indian sweet is soft, rich and melt in mouth.
Besan Barfi
Sutarfeni
A melt-in-the-mouth Indian sweet made with air-fried kataifi pastry and sugar syrup
Sutarfeni
This is a quick version of the traditional recipe as it is made with ready made kataifi pastry
Eggless Nankhatai Shrikhand Cheesecake
This beautiful Indian style cheesecake is made with a nankhatai base and shrikhand cream cheese filling. It's a fabulous Indian fusion dessert for parties and special occasions.
Nankhatai Shrikhand Cheesecake
Gujarati Shakarpara Recipe: How to make Shankarpali
Shakarpara is a sweet and crispy Gujarati snack made with a few basic ingredients such as flour, ghee, jaggery, and milk. These flaky diamond biscuits are usually made for the Indian festival Diwali, Holi, Satam and the perfect tea-time snacks throughout the year. These are also known as Shankarpali.
Shakkarpara with Jaggery
Coconut Ladoo
Coconut ladoo is an Indian sweet made with coconut, milk and sugar. My recipe makes the softest, creamiest ladoo and are full of real coconut flavour. Just three ingredients and a perfect melt in the mouth finish without using condensed milk.
Soft Coconut Ladoo with Desiccated Coconut
Instant Pot Kheer
Make ultra creamy rice kheer in the Instant Pot in less than 40 minutes. Less stirring and perfectly cooked kheer that will be ready with little effort. Also included is a traditional stove top pressure cooker method.Â
Instant Pot Kheer
Indian Rice Kheer Arancini
Italian arancini meets Indian kesar kheer. These sweet arancini is filled with creamy Indian rice pudding that's laced with saffron.
Indian Kheer Arancini
Diwali Drinks Menu
Mango Lassi
Mango Lassi is a delicious Indian Mango Yogurt Drink. This 4-ingredient mango lassi recipe with mango pulp and greek yogurt, is so silky.
Mango Lassi with Mango Pulp
Rose Lassi
Rose Lassi is made with full fat yogurt, milk and rose syrup. My secret ingredient is a generous pour of fresh cream to make it extra indulgent and creamy. Just 5 minutes and 4 ingredients and you've got perfection in a glass!
Rose Lassi with Syrup
Sweet Lassi Recipe
This sweet lassi recipe is made from 3 basic ingredients: yogurt, milk and sugar, and can be ready within minutes.
Sweet Lassi
Pomegranate Mocktail
This festive Pomegranate Mocktail recipe is as simple as they come. Fresh pomegranate juice and a sweet sparkling non alcoholic wine combine to make an elegant non alcoholic drink for special occasions.
Sparkling Pomegranate Mocktail
Cardamom Mojito Mocktail
Cardamom Mojito Mocktail - a refreshing non alcoholic drink made with a homemade cardamom simple syrup, fresh lime, soda and plenty of mint.
Cardamom Mojito Mocktail
Mango Mocktail
I make it simply with mango pulp or juice, lime juice and sparkling water. Just 5 minutes and you have the perfect refreshing drink that’s worthy of a summer garden party.
Easy Mango Mocktail
Rose Sharbat
Rose Sharbat with Hibiscus and Basil Seeds is a floral thirst-quenching, non-alcoholic drink that keeps you hydrated during scorching summer days.
Rose Sharbat
And finally to end the meal...
Kesar Chai (Saffron Milk Tea)
A rich and aromatic kesar chai, also known as zafrani chai, made with saffron, milk, strong black tea, crushed cardamom and sugar. Perfect for guests, festivals and Indian afternoon tea.
Saffron Chai
Wishing you a very Happy Diwali!
As always if you make this recipe, be sure to leave me a comment, rate this recipe and tag me on Instagram @jcookingodyssey or #jcookingodyssey. I love seeing all your photos of my recipe recreations!
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