9 Navratri Vrat ka Khana Recipes

9 Navratri Vrat ka Khana Recipes

Navratri 2021 starts today, the 7^th, and continues until the 15^th of October. Today I am sharing ideas for breakfast, lunch, dinner and healthy snacks while you fast- 9 Navratri Vrat ka Khana Recipes.

Dussehra is a post-monsoon festival. Referring to the Hindu calendar, it falls in the month of Ashvin, which, according to the Victorian calendar, falls in September or October. We celebrate this festival in different ways all over India. Folklores talk of stories where good triumphs over evil. But in South India, there is no burning of Ravana.

 Or the festival Navratri of nine days culminates on the tenth day with Vijayadashmi or Dussehra.

Importance of Navratri

Dussehra celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga against the rakshasa Mahishasura. Each of the nine days has its day of the festival has its importance. Something especially devoted to the festival is the celebration of the invincible goddess and her nine avatars. We decorate the goddess Durga with ornaments and different attires.

Day 1, October 7: The first day of Navratri 2021 is called Pratipada, devoted to the Daughter of the mountain or Shailaputri. Yellow is the blessed colour of the day.

Day 2, October 8: Goddess:  On the second day of Navratri Brahmacharini is venerated. Green is the colour of the day

Day 3, October 9: Goddess Kushmunda is worshipped on the third day. She embodies the liberal granting of vegetation on Earth. Grey is the holy colour of the day.

Day 4, October 10: On Panchami or day 5, Goddess Skandamata is worshipped. Orange is the holy colour of the day is orange.

Day 5, October 11: The Goddess Katyayani is the warrior Goddess. She is the one with four hands. White is the holy colour of the day.

9 Navratri Vrat ka Khana Recipes

Day 6, October 12: The seventh day or Saptami is the day of the Goddess Kalaratri. It is the supreme fierce form of Goddess Durga. Red is the holy colour of the day.

Day 7, October 13: Ashtami is an extra special day and one of my favourites. Nine kanyas or pre-pubescent girls are invited and fed a particular Prasad. Goddess Mahagauri is worshipped on this day. Royal blue is the holy colour of the day.

Day 8; October 14: Navami glorifies the Goddess Siddhidaatri, generally known as Saraswati. She is the Goddess of Siddhi or knowledge. The holy colour of the day is pink.

Day 9; October 15: Vijaya Dashami, Dussehra or the day of Victory marks the end of the festival. The royal colour Purple is the colour of the last day.

Navratri and Vrat Ka Khana or Fasting Food

During Navratri or fasting days, people eat only selected foods. I exclude most of the spices and grains from eating. Normally, those who fast forego eating rice or wheat but have a special fasting meal once a day. You can have fruits, shakes, and exclusive vrat snacks peppered with rock salt. Eat only selective food grains, spices, and vegetables during the Navratri fasting days. Grains like buckwheat and water chestnut flour, potato and sweet potato, to name a few. We can consume dairy products. You can have Kheer or puddings made from sago and fox nuts during these fasts.

Foods that are eaten during Vrat

Fasting, or Vrat, is a fundamental part of the Hindu Religion. It is a common practice in India since ancient times. During Navratri or Vrat days, one has to do everything in moderation. Eat vegetarian food, perform all the rituals, be truthful and be pure of mind as well. One should not leave the fast midway. There is kuttu atta or singhara atta, in place of wheat. You can have fresh seasonal vegetables, milk, yoghurt, and makhana as they are light on the tummy and easy to digest. It is a period to detox, and what is better than a Satvik diet to do so? Cleanse your body and mind, and rejuvenate yourself.

Click on the highlighted words in blue for the link to the recipe

• Banana Lassi – Banana Lassi- Navratri Vrat Recipe is tasty and is an instant energy drink. While you are fasting, a glass of banana yoghurt smoothie will keep you full until lunchtime. We normally integrate bananas with breakfast so that you can kick start your day with energy. Banana Lassi with yoghurt, walnuts and honey is best for starting your fasting day during Navratri.

• Baby Potato Fry– A popular vrat vegetable is a potato. Try this Baby Potato Fry with curry leaves. It is full of flavour and will make you enjoy your fast. Have it with Kuttu ki Puri or Roti.

Kuttu ki Roti– Vrat menu doesn’t include wheat and rice. There are healthier options, like buckwheat flour. Kuttu ka atta is essential during Navratri fasting. It is a tad difficult to make the dough, so keep trying. The rotis are slightly thicker and their taste also varies from regular wheat flour rotis. You can even make puris if you like.

9 Navratri Vrat ka Khana Recipes

• Sweet Potato Chat Recipe– Vrat or no vrat, I can have this chat at any time. This Navratri Vrat Sweet Potato Chat spices up your fasting days. I make it of fried pieces of parboiled sweet potato tossed with a liberal amount of lemon and spices.

• Sabudana Khichdi–Sago is not a grain or a lentil but is from the centre of sago palm stems. As it is starch, Sago or sabudana are full of energy and carbs that are needed during fasting. I sauteed sago pearls with tiny potato bits, peanuts, a paste of mint and green chillies. The mint makes it so tasty, healthy and drool-worthy.

• Roasted Makhana Snack– Roasted Makhana is the new diet food. You can roast and add different flavours for variety. It is the best munch during fasting. I like Pudina and peri-peri flavours. Lotus seeds or these Foxtail nuts are rich in antioxidants, fibres and minerals. If you have a sweet tooth, then make caramel Makhana by caramelizing sugar or making jaggery syrup and tossing Makhana in them.

Sabudana Thalipeeth – You can make Sabudana Thalipeeth from Sago pearls. Soaked and drain them well. Add boiled and mashed potato along with a few select spices. I throw in throw in some crushed peanuts to give it a nice crunch. Subsequently, roll into a disc and pan-fry.

9 Navratri Vrat ka Khana Recipes

• Raw Banana Cutlet–A unique snack during fasting. Banana cutlets will make you drool. Just cut the bananas into pieces and boil el dente. Grate the pieces after boiling. The texture has to be nice and firm. It should not be mushy or sticky. Make fancy heart, star and flower-shaped cutlets.

• Lauki ki kheer–The best part of fasting is the desserts. You can make sago or lauki kheer. Lauki is very easy to digest if made with just milk and sugar. But if you want to make it for a special dinner or party, then you can add condensed milk and fresh cream. This is not for vrat but just a rich version of Lauki ki Kheer Recipe. Most kids avoid eating lauki. Cheat and tell them that the shredded gourd is glass noodles! They will happily finish their dessert.

May the supremacy of the goddess Durga shelter you and your family. Revel in this lovely occasion of Navratri with your family and loved ones!

Blessed Navratri and Blessed Vrat to you all.

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