Maha Shivaratri is the time to offer devotion, fasting and offering holy offerings to Lord Shiva. Keeping in mind the sattvic traditions of the festival, using natural sweetness like desi khand instead of sophisticated sugar is not only more nutritious, but also combines with Ayurvedic principles. Desi khand, an unrefined form of sugarcane sugar, retains the essential minerals, making it a healthy option. Some nutritious prasad recipes that you can prepare with the desi section. By including the desi section in these dishes, you can prepare the offerings which is not only delicious, but also beneficial for health.
Also read: Maha Shivratri 2025: 5 Foods that you can follow fasting

Photo Credit: ISTOCK
1. Desi Khand Panjeri Recipe
A nutritious offerings made with whole wheat flour, dried fruits and desi section.
Material:
- 1 cup full wheat flour
- 1/2 cup desi section
- 1/4 cup ghee
- 1/4 cup mixed nuts (almonds, cashews, pistachios)
- 1 tablespoon food gum (Gond)
- 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
Method:
- Heat ghee in a pan and fry the entire wheat flour on low flame until golden brown.
- In the same pan, the edible gum fried until it becomes puff and then crush it.
- Add crushed nuts and fry for a minute.
- Mix in desi khand and cardamom powder, stirring well.
- Allow it to cool slightly before offering as offerings.
2. Desi Khand Malpua Recipe
Soft, syrup pancakes that make for a divine offerings.
Material:
- 1 cup full wheat flour
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup desi section
- 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
- Ghee for frying
- Garnish
Method:
- Make a smooth batsman by mixing flour, milk and desi sections. Let it rest for 10 minutes.
- Heat the ghee in a pan and put small parts of the batsman to make pancakes.
- Cook on low flame until golden brown on both sides.
- Garnish with nuts and offer it as offerings.

Photo Credit: ISTOCK
3. Desi Khand Besan Laddu Recipe
A simple yet delicious laddu is infected with rich taste.
Material:
- 1 cup gram flour (gram flour)
- 1/2 cup desi section
- 1/2 cup ghee
- 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
- 2 tablespoons chopped nuts
Method:
- Heat the ghee in a pan and fry the gram flour until the golden brown and aromatic.
- Remove from the heat and let it cool slightly.
- Add desi section, cardamom powder and nuts. mix well.
- Give shape in small laddus and serve as offerings.
4. Desi section Sabdana Kheer Recipe
A light for the days of fasting is yet perfect satisfactory kher.
Material:
- 1/2 cup subudana (sago)
- 2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup desi section
- 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
- 1 tablespoon chopped nut
Method:
- Soak Sabudana in water for 30 minutes.
- Heat milk in a pan and add soaked Sabudana.
- Cook until Sabudana becomes transcendent.
- Stir in desi section and cardamom powder, cooking for another 5 minutes.
- Garnish with nuts and work as offerings.
Also read: When is Maha Shivaratri 2025? 5 delicious dishes to try during the festival

Photo Credit: ISTOCK
This Maha Shivaratri celebrates with these nutritious offerings that respect both tradition and welfare.
About the author: Mr. Gupta Dhumur is the head of sales and operations in Green.