Photos: India's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman kicks off 2020 Budget countdown with 'Halwa ceremony'

Ahead of printing of documents relating to Union Budget 2020-21, the customary 'Halwa ceremony' was held on Monday at the Ministry of Finance, North Block. Seen above: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Minister of State for Finance Anurag Singh Thakur distribute Halwa during the ceremony.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs Anurag Thakur and other government officials were also present at the ceremony.

'Halwa ceremony' marks the beginning of the lockdown of several officials in the Finance Ministry, who remain cut off from their families until the presentation of the Budget by the Finance Minister in the Lok Sabha.

As a part of the ritual, which has continued for long, 'halwa' is prepared in a big 'kadhai' and served to the entire staff in the ministry.

The Union Budget will be presented on February 1. Seen above: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of State for Finance Anurag Singh Thakur, Finance Secretary Rajiv Kumar and other officials during the Halwa Ceremony.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Minister of State for Finance Anurag Singh Thakur after the Halwa Ceremony marking the commencement of Budget printing process for the General Budget 2019-2010, at Ministery of Finance in New Delhi

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Minister of State for Finance Anurag Singh Thakur during the Halwa Ceremony marking the commencement of Budget printing process for the General Budget 2019-2010, at Ministery of Finance in New Delhi

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman distribute Halwa to Minister of State for Finance Anurag Singh Thakur during the Halwa Ceremony marking the commencement of Budget printing process for the General Budget 2019-2010, at Ministery of Finance in New Delhi

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharama(4L), Minister of State for Finance Anurag Singh Thakur(3L), Finance Secretary Rajiv Kumar(2L), Economic Affairs Secretary Atanu Chakraborty and others during 'Halwa' ceremony marking the commencement of Budget printing process for the General Budget 2019-20, in New Delhi

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Minister of State for Finance Anurag Singh Thakur distribute Halwa during the Halwa Ceremony marking the commencement of Budget printing process for the General Budget 2019-2010, at Ministery of Finance in New Delhi

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman(R) and Minister of State for Finance Anurag Singh Thakur(L) during 'Halwa' ceremony marking the commencement of Budget printing process for the General Budget 2019-20, in New Delhi

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman distribute Halwa during the Halwa Ceremony marking the commencement of Budget printing process for the General Budget 2019-2010, at Ministery of Finance in New Delhi