Sambhar powder is a spice blend used throughout India, especially the southern states. As the name suggests it is used to make Sambhar, a broth made with vegetables and cooked lentils flavoured with tamarind pulp and sambhar powder. It is eaten with rice or snacks like dosa, idli and vada.

Some common ingredients in sambhar powder are toor dal, red chillies, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, peppercorn, fenugreek seeds, turmeric and dry curry leaves. The ingredients are either sun-dried for a few days or dry-roasted (individually) till aromatic, and then ground in a mixer-grinder or from a professional miller.