Navratri 2024: 10 special foods you can enjoy during Navratri vrat (fast)

Navratri 2024 is almost here, and one look around is enough to tell how much we are looking forward to welcoming the festive season. The word ‘Navratri’ translates to ‘nine nights’ in Sanskrit. These nine days are dedicated to Goddess Durga, who comes to take shelter in the homes of her loving devotees. During these nine auspicious days, devotees seek blessings and pray to the nine forms of Goddess Durga also known as Navadurga. A common practice of observing ritual fast is also an essential part of it. People do this to please the deity with their devotion. During the fast, devotees abstain from certain food items such as non-vegetarian food, eggs, regular salt and alcohol. It is suggested to adopt a satvik diet and only a limited number of ingredients can be used to prepare the vrat food. These Navratri special foods may include sago, Rock salt, buckwheat flour, water chestnut flour And some vegetables. However, this does not mean that you are not allowed to experiment. There is a lot you can do to make your Navratri food with these limited ingredients.

Navratri 2024: Here are some ideas about Navratri special foods for inspiration.

1. Sabudana Khichdi

Rich in good quality starch and carbohydrates, Sabudana acts as an instant energy booster during these fasts. Sabudana Khichdi made with tapioca pearls, also known as Sabudana Khichdi in the southern part of the country, is one of the most loved vrat dishes during Navratri fasting. You can garnish it with peanuts, fresh coriander and mild spices.

_{Navratri Foods 2024:Sabudana khichdi made from tapioca pearls. (Photo credit: iStock)}

2. Sabudana Kheer

The delicious festive sweet made from sago (tapioca pearls) is a fasting classic. Flavored with cardamom and saffron and topped with some coarse dry fruits, this is a wonderful dish. This sago kheer recipe here is extremely easy and quick, made in just 30 minutes with soaked sago, which is commonly eaten during fasting seasons like Navratri. Serve at dinner parties on special occasions or make it as a dessert after dinner.

3. Buckwheat Flour Puri

Made with buckwheat flour, these puris are the best accompaniment to aloo bhaji. in puris It can also be eaten with a bowl of cold curd. Buckwheat is known to increase your energy levels. It is not made from any grains and thus, is one of the most commonly used favorite vrat ingredients.

_{Navratri Foods 2024: Buckwheat is known to increase your energy levels. (Photo credit: iStock)}

4. Roasted Makhana or Phool Makhana

Makhana or fox nuts also feature high on the popularity chart of Navratri special foods. you can add them to your Kheer, Or make makhana sabzi, but the most popular version of these bite-sized seeds is when they are simply roasted. Fox Nut Or phool makhana and rubbed with some rock salt and black pepper.

_{Navratri Foods 2024: You can add makhana to your kheer, or make makhana curry. (Photo Credit: Stock)}

5. Potato Kadhi

This is one dish that we love to relish throughout the year, but what makes it a special Navratri meal is its main ingredient – ​​potatoes and its preparation with mild spices. During Navratri fasting, devotees avoid consuming legumes and pulses, while eating vegetables like potatoes, sweet potatoes, taro and suran are allowed. The soothing taste of this lovely curry made with mild spices will make you lick your fingers.

_{Navratri Foods 2024:​ A soothing curry made with potatoes and curd. (Photo credit: iStock)}

6. Fasting Rice Pulao

If you are observing Navratri fast, then you might know that eating regular rice is not allowed during the fast. Many devotees use Varat rice or Samai rice (barnyard millet) to prepare for their fast. You can use this Navratri special meal to make a nutritious pulao that tastes best with aloo kadhi, pumpkin curry or bottle gourd curry.

_{Navratri Foods 2024:​ Many devotees use Varat rice or Samai rice. (Photo credit: iStock)}

7. Dry Arabic

A nice change from the usual leafy vegetables we make for lunch! Colocasia or ‘Colocasia’ is a great summer vegetable that is quite versatile. This Navratri special food will go well with all your puris and rotis. It is made with mild spices yet tastes delicious.

8. Water chestnut flour pudding

Water chestnut flour is another Navratri special ingredient which is usually used in place of your regular grains or wheat. This sweet is made from the goodness of water chestnut flour, sugar and ghee and is topped with lots of dry fruits and nuts.

_{Navratri Foods 2024:​ Singhara flour is another Navratri-special ingredient. (Photo credit: iStock)}

9. Raw Banana Barfi

Raw bananas are not only used for delicious dishes but can also be turned into delicious barfi. Raw banana barfi made from raw banana, sugar and milk is both nutritious and delicious. Raw Banana Tikki is a famous Awadhi dish, which can be relished during Navratri fasting. Apart from potato and bottle gourd, raw banana is an excellent fasting ingredient. This delicate dish can be served as a snack with freshly made peanut chutney.

_{Navratri Foods 2024: Raw bananas are great for salty and sweet preparations. (Photo credit: iStock)}

10. Sweet Potato Chaat

Fruit chaat is very popular during Navratri, but have you tried sweet potato chaat? Yes, the same spicy chaat that you will find on the streets. Shakarkandi Chaat, made from boiled and peeled sweet potatoes and topped with lemon, rock salt and chaat masala, is one of the most popular Navratri special foods.

Did we forget your favorite Navratri special food or recipe? Let us know in the comments section below.

Happy Navratri 2024!