9 Navratri Food Items for 9 Days of Fasting

Navratri, one of the biggest Hindu Festivals celebrated in India twice a year, first at the beginning of spring and then at the onset of autumn, begins next week. This is a 9-day festival where 9 avatars (incarnations) of Goddess Durga are worshipped and most people observe fasts. During Navratri most people give up non-vegetarian foods and avoid or stop eating foods with onion or garlic in it.

Navratri days are 9 days of intense devotion and worshipping Maa Durga which culminates in “Vijay Dashami” or Dussehra. On the day of Dussehra Lord Ram killed Ravan and freed Seeta Mata from his clutches. During Navratri Fasts, most people either prevent eating anything or keep eating the same things repeatedly. So, to make Navratri food interesting, here are 9 Navratri Food Items to eat during your fast:

Day 1 of Navratri – Vratwale Paneer Rolls

This is a much-loved paneer recipe that you can have during your Navratri Vrat. It is made with grated paneer, potatoes, sendha namak and spices all mixed together and then fried in the shape of rolls. They can be served with mint chutney, at any time of the day!

Day 2 of Navratri – Singhare Ke Atte Ka Samosa

This is a Navratri delightful teatime snack made with fasting ingredients like chestnut flour, sendha namak, and a filling of spiced chironji. Tastes best when served with coriander chutney.

Day 3 of Navratri – Aloo Ki Kadhi

Enjoy the soothing flavours of this light and lovely curry made with ever-so-versatile potatoes. Move over the boring aloo ka falahar and instead choose to eat some healthy aloo kadhi and make your Navratri even more special.

Day 4 of Navratri – Low Fat Makhana Kheer

Navratri without dessert is so incomplete. Desserts are no doubt the most exciting part of meals. Here’s for you a low-fat kheer recipe made with makhana and nuts, so you can enjoy sweet after your vrat without having to worry about the weighing scale.

Day 5 of Navratri – Sabudana Khichdi

Sabudana Khichdi is the perfect dish for your Navratri Thali because it is full of starch or carbohydrates which give you much needed energy while fasting. This is a light dish made with sabudana, peanuts and mild spices. Other energy rich dishes that are made with sabudana are sabudana kheer and sabudana vada, which also make great Navratri snacks.

Day 6 of Navratri – Kuttu Ka Dosa

 

This Navratri, level up from your usual Kuttu puris to Kuttu Dosas. Kuttu Dosas are interesting snacks which are made of a potato filling stuffed inside a kuttu (buckwheat flour) wrap. Serve it with coconut chutney to make it taste even better.

Day 7 of Navratri – Arbi Kofta

Potatoes sure are elite when it comes to taste, but eating only potatoes for breakfast, lunch and dinner when fasting can be tiring. This delicious Arbi kofta recipe is a perfect teatime snack made by combining mashed arbi, jeera, green chilies, ginger, sendha namak and black salt and then deep frying the prepared koftas until golden brown. It’s a Must Try Navratri Special.

Day 8 of Navratri – Samak Ke Chawal ka Dhokla

These are special types of dhoklas made from samwat ke chawal. Something different from your usual fried pakoris and pooris, steamed dhoklas are healthy, light and delicious snacks. Garnished with whole red chillies, cumin, ghee and curry leaves this snack is perfect for satisfying your badi bhook during Navratri!

Day 9 of Navratri – Banana Walnut Lassi

The list would definitely be incomplete if there weren’t a beverage included so here it is! Banana walnut Lassi is a drink with a yoghurt (dahi) base. The dahi is blended with banana, honey and walnuts until everything is mixed properly. The drink is served with mint or basil leaves’ garnishing. Drink up this lassi and keep yourself energized through the day during your Navratri Vrat.

This was a list of day snacks to munch on during your fast. When the day is over and the pooja is completed, it’s time to have the last meal of the day! Your Navratri Thali (Vrat Ki Thali), is supposed to be a good, nutritious meal to make up for the entire day of fasting. As the tradition goes, pooris made of kuttu flour are served with a curry dish like aloo ka jhol, or chole ki sabzi accompanied with a dry sabzi like mixed veg and samak ke chaawal. Raita is a must and to top it all something sweet like aaloo ka halwa or samak ki kheer.

Navratri is the festival of intense devotion, worship and joy. In remembering Goddess Durga, we pray for knowledge, wealth, prosperity, health, courage, beauty. This festive season, enjoy these Navratri Food Items with friends and family because when shared, food tastes even better! Wishing you a very HAPPY NAVRATRI 2022!