101 Navratri Special Recipes

Navratri is an important festival dedicated to the worship of the Hindu deity Durga. The word Navaratri means 'nine nights' in Sanskrit. During these nine nights, nine forms of Devi (Goddess) are worshiped. 

                          

Navratri is just around the corner and i am sure those who celebrate this festival must have all set to welcome the goddess in to their homes and worship her. In the Northern and Western India, devotees observe 9 days fast (vrat) during the Navratri festival, whereas in the South India devotees only worship the deity and do not observe fasting. They prepare various sundal and sweets to offer to the goddess as Naivedhyam and is then distributed as prasad (blessed food). In this post, i have tried to compile 101 recipes which are a mix of the Navratri fasting recipes , the North Indian and Maharashtrian dishes that can be offered as Naivedhyam to the goddess during the festival as well as the South Indian delicacies that can be enjoyed during the festivity. I have also included a Bengali vegetarian thali that is a Durga Pooja special platter. 

       

Navratri Celebration at my home last year. Goddess dressed in 9 different colors , 6 of these dresses , i have hand stitched .

Durga Pooja is celebrated twice every year - Vasant Navratri which comes in Chaitra month (March-April) and Sharad Navratri which comes in Ashwin month (September- October) with full faith and devotion. This year Sharad Navratri will begin on 29th September and will end on 7th October following Dushera which is also another important festival which celebrates the victory of good over evil. 

Had made this emboss painting of maa Durga 20 years back and it still adorns the wall at my parents house :)

 In India, this festival is celebrated in different states in their own unique way , representing their tradition and custom. In Gujarat and Maharashtra where Garbha and Dandiya nights are popular , in Northern states like Punjab Jagratas are organised during these 9 days. In eastern part of India, Navratri is celebrated as Durga Pooja while in Southern states of Tamil Nadu , Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh the highlight of Navratri is a doll and figurine display called Golu. The customs and traditions may be different but all of them have one common reason behind this celebration, the victory of good over evil !

Navratri Fasting Recipes : 

Navratri- Nine nights is traditionally a time to fast and to pray. It is the time to purify our souls and cleanse our system and to rejuvenate. A time when devotes observe period of fast , following a restricted diet to detoxify the body and prepare it for the change in the season from monsoon to winter. During this Navratri fasting, grains are not allowed and food with onion garlic is restricted. 

However, fasting does not mean you starve yourself nor does it mean that we over eat. a proper balance has to be made and the food has to be chosen wisely so that we can reap maximum benefits from fasting. Whole fresh fruits, milk and milk products, dry fruits are the best choice during fasting. I have tried to provide some healthy recipes of the fasting foods which are quick to make, easy to digest and at the same time would keep one hydrated and energetic through out the day while fasting.

• Snack and Main Course Recipes

1.      Raw Banana Cutlet: A crunchy, tasty and nutritious snack, that can serve as a filling fruit diet during fasting.                           

                        

2.  Barnyard Millet Upma : Samak rice upma is a delicious, gluten-free snack that is easy to digest and apt as fasting food. Serve it with curd or raita. 

                                   

3. Sabudana Khichadi : Sabudana Khichadi is a stir fry of soaked sago pearls with crushed peanuts, boiled potato chunks and spices. This gluten-free dish is mildly spiced, slightly sweet and tangy in taste.  Hot sabudana khichadi tastes great with a chilled bowl of sweetened yogurt and some Lemon Pickle. 

                                   

4. Khatta Meetha Kaddu is an onion-garlic free flavorful pumpkin curry which can be served with singhare ki poori.

                                   

5. Coconut Stuffed Banana: Bharva kela is a delicious snack in which ripe bananas are stuffed with coconut, jaggery, and nuts filling and then roasted in ghee.

                                   

6.  Falahari Kaddu Ki Tikki is a delicious pumpkin and potato pattie which makes up for a filling fasting recipe when served with peanut yogurt dip.

                                   

7. Shakarkandi Ki Chaat : This is a healthy oil-free snack made from boiled or baked sweet potato and mint chutney. (Skip chat masala in the recipe if making for fast).

                                   

8. Meethe Makhane : Meethe Makhane or Caramelized Fox nuts, as the name suggest are roasted Fox nuts which are further tossed in caramelized sugar syrup is a healthy fasting snack.

                                   

9. Watermelon Pizza: A healthy and refreshing fruit treat to keep you hydrated and energetic.

                                   

10.  Ratalyacha Kees : This delicious fasting food is a traditional dish from Maharashtrian Cuisine. It  is a stir-fry made from grated sweet potato.

                                  

11. Falhari Makhana Chivda: Falahari Makhana Chivda is a healthy and delicious savory snack made with Fox Nut (Lotus Seeds) and dry fruits.

                                  

• Accompaniments For Navratri Fasting  

                               

12. Khamang Kakdi : A flavorful cucumber salad from Maharashtrian cuisine. This salad will keep you hydrated while you are fasting. ( skip mustard seeds while tempering).

13.  Dahi Shengdana Chutney : This is a protein-rich dip made from roasted peanuts, fresh curd, and basic Indian spices. Pairs very well with sabudana khichadi, raw banana cutlet, and Sabudana wada.

14. Instant Lemon Pickle : A 4 ingredient, oil-free instant lemon pickle which is tongue tickling and tastes great with sabudana khichadi and samak rice upma.

15. Pomegranate Raita : a refreshing and colorful yogurt based dish with pomegranate arils.

16. Dudhichi Koshimbir / Bottle Gourd Yogurt Dip / Lauki Raita : Doodhichi Koshimbir (also called Lauki Raita) is a slightly sweet , a bit spicy and a refreshing yogurt based dish made with Bottle Gourd. (Skip adding mustard seeds for tempering)

17. Sesame Seeds Chutney : Spicy dry chutney made from roasted sesame seeds, cumin seeds, and red chili powder.

18. Amla Chutney : a flavorful yogurt based dip made from fresh amla / Indian gooseberry and peanuts.

19. Naralachi Chutney:  Fresh coconut chutney flavored with coriander and yogurt. A perfect accompaniment to all the fasting snack.

20. Strawberry Jam : 3 ingredient delicious jam made with fresh strawberries, jaggery, and lemon juice.

21. Aam ka murabba : Sweet and tangy raw mango preserve that can be served as side dish.

22. Strawberry Raita: A delicious, cool, and refreshing yogurt dip that can be made in a jiffy. Can be paired with sabudana khichadi or samak rice upma.

23. Makhana Raita : Makhana Raita is a delicious Indian side dish made from yogurt and puffed lotus seeds (phool makhana).

24. Doodhichi Koshimbir : Doodhichi Koshimbir is a healthy and refreshing side dish from the Maharashtrian Cuisine made with steamed bottle gourd and yogurt.

25. Aloo Bukhare Ki Chutney / Plum Chutney : This chutney is made by blending fresh ripe plums with Indian spices to give a flavorful preparation.

• Dessert Recipes For Navratri Fasting and Naivedhyam

26. Badam Katli: A protein-rich almond fudge which can be easily made at home, and serve both as Naivedhyam to the goddess or as fasting food.

27. Instant Kalakand: A creamy delicacy made out of  solidified sweetened milk, and cottage cheese/ paneer.

28. Bengali Sandesh: A melt in mouth, cottage cheese delicacy from Bengali cuisine.

 29. Rajgira Ladoo:  Rajgira ladoo is a healthy and delicious sweet ball made from popped amaranth seeds and jaggery.

 30. Instant Peanut Coconut Ladoo: A delicious and quick dessert which can serve both as naivedhyam and as fasting food.

31. Dates and Nuts Ladoo: Dates and dry fruits both provide warmth to the body and hence these Dates and Nuts ladoos serve as a delicious,  healthy and nutritious winter breakfast with energy punch to start the day , both for the ones who are fasting and even for those who are not.

32. Sesame Seeds and Jaggery Ladoo: These crunchy delectable ladoos provide warmth, and energy and keep you full.

33. Nariyal Barfi: A delectable fresh coconut fudge with a good shelf life on refrigeration.

34. Lauki Barfi: Gulkand flavored bottle gourd fudge which can be offered to the goddess as well as had as fasting food.

35. Rasgulla: refers to a spongy syrupy dessert made from chenna (cottage cheese) . These soft, spongy, white balls drenched in chilled sugar syrup can make any mouth water.

36. Anjeer Roll: This dried figs dates and nuts roll serve as delectable and nutritious snacks whether fasting or not.

37. Kesar Rabdi: creamy rich delight that needs just 3 basic ingredients namely milk , sugar and saffron. 

38. Lauki Ki Kheer: this delectable bottle gourd is mildly flavored with green cardamom and nutmeg.

39. Mishti Doi: It is a fermented sweet yogurt from the Bengal cuisine.

40. Til Ki Barfi: This burfi / fudge is a perfect combination of nutty sesame seeds and peanuts with jaggery. The fudge is flavoured with green cardamom powder and garnish with almond slivers. 

41. Sabudana Kheer: a delicious creamy sago pudding which is sweetened with caramel.

42. Nariyal Aam Burfi: A crumbly yet soft and delicate fudge with fresh coconut and mango .

43. Bharva Kela: Coconut and gaggery stuffed banana.

44. Makhane Ki Kheer: A creamy rich foxnut - lotus seed pudding that is a preferred fasting food of North India.

45. Apple Rabadi:  Apple Rabadi is a very delicious dessert made from evaporated milk and Apple. It is very easy to make, requires minimal ingredients and tastes divine. 

46.Panchamrut: Panchamrut a holy Indian drink is a mixture of 5 ingredients , milk, sugar , ghee, curd and honey.  Panchamrut is used for abhishekam ( bathing deity ), as naivedhyam (offering to God) and distributed among devotees after puja (worship) as prasadam. It can also serve as a fasting food ( food for vrat).

47. Homemade Khoya: Khoya also known as mava is coagulated milk solids. It forms the base for wide variety of Indian sweets like Gulab Jamun , Pedha , Gajar ka Halwa , Gujiya , Barfi / Fudge etc .

48. Strawberry Shrikhand: Strawberry Shrikhand is delectable, creamy, yogurt based dessert with the goodness of fresh strawberries. 

49. Basundi: Basundi is a delicious and popular Maharashtrian dessert made by reducing milk which is further sweetened and flavored with Cardamom and Nutmeg. 

50. Amrakhand: This exotic sweet dish is one of the easiest Mango desserts that can be made in a jiffy ( if we exclude the time for making hung curd).

51.  Goad Dashmi : Goad Dashmi is a sweet flatbread from Maharashtrian Cuisine. It is basically a jaggery flavored roti made with whole wheat flour and chickpea flour (besan).

52. Shrikhand: Shrikhand (Sour and Sweet yogurt based sweet dish ) is a perfect dessert for this festival. 

53. Kesar Badam Matka Kulfi: A dense rich classic frozen dessert which is made by a slow process of condensing the full cream milk till it gets an irresistible texture and aroma. This sweetened condensed milk is further flavoured with Saffron and Cardamom and garnished with nuts like Almonds or Pistachios.

54. Aamras: Aamras is a delicious sweet mango treat , popular in the Indian states of Maharashtra and Gujarat. Basically it is a pulp or puree of a ripe mango which is usually flavoured with Saffron and Cardamom.

55. Puranpoli: Puran Poli is a popular Maharashtrian flat bread with a sweet lentil stuffing. We offer Puranpoli to goddess on ninth day, which is the last day of the navratri festival and open our fast with this dessert and pair it with rice kheer.

56. Tandalachi kheer / Sweet Rice Pudding: a creamy rich sweet preparation where in rice is cooked and simmered in milk. This kheer can be offered to the goddess

57. Narayani Sheera: The Narayani Sheera is a sweet preparation made from Suji / Semolina , Cow Ghee, Milk, Sugar, Banana and Dry fruits. This semolina pudding is offered to the goddess on Ashtami (8 th day of the Navratri)

58. Khoya Gulab Jamun : Gulab Jamun is a traditional Indian dessert where small balls made from milk-solids are deep fried in ghee are drenched in rose water flavored sugar syrup .

59. Gur Papdi : it is a delicious and healthy fudge made with just 3 ingredients-whole wheat flour, jaggery, and ghee.Sukhdi is a traditional dessert popular in the Indian states of Gujarat and Maharashtra. 

60. Chocolate Halwa : A humble suji halwa flavored with cocoa flavor to give a delectable dessert.

61. Gulkand Flavored Mava Gujiya : A sweet dish made with whole wheat flour and suji stuffed with dry fruits.

 62.    Malpua  : Malpua is a traditional dessert popular in Indian states of Rajasthan , Uttar Pradesh , Bihar , West Bengal ,Orissa and Maharashtra. It is basically a fried pancake coated in sugar syrup and served with rabdi (sweetened thickened milk).

63. Protein Chikki : Chikki is a traditional Indian Sweet ( brittle) generally made from jaggery and peanuts. Here a chikki is made using protein rich nuts and seeds , hence the name.

64. Matar Dalia Kheer : Matar Dalia Kheer is creamy delicious milk based dessert. Made from nutrient rich broken wheat, green peas , milk , and jaggery this porridge is easy to prepare and is very healthy and nutritious.

65. Chhena Poda : Chhena Poda is a delectable and heavenly cheese dessert from the Indian state of Odisha. It is basically a baked cottage cheese cake and a festive dish that can be made on auspicious occasions and festivals like Diwali and Durga Pooja. 

66. Gulkand Paneer Kheer : Gulkand Paneer Kheer is a delectable, aromatic Indian dessert. This flavorful pudding is made with cottage cheese , milk and dry fruits. Here, i have used Homemade Gulkand - Rose Petal Jam which acts both as a flavouring agent and a sweetener. 

67. Magaja Ladoo : Magaja ladoo is a delectable sweet from the Odia Cuisine. These ladoos are made with whole wheat flour, sugar, ghee and are flavored with cardamom and black pepper.

68. Gavhache Dhirde: Gavhache dhirde is a traditional Maharashtrian delicacy made from whole wheat flour, jaggery and ghee.

69. Ragi Ladoo : Ragi ladoos are delicious sweet balls made using ragi flour, ghee, and a sweetener.

70. Zarda Pulao: Zarda Pulao or meethe chawal is a delicious and fragrant yellow sweet rice dish from North India. This sweet pulao is cooked in aromatic spices and flavored with saffron, nuts and raisins. 

 71 Mango Halwa : adiition of puree of alphanso mango to the humble suji halwa to make it all the more healthy and flavorful.

72. Mango Phirni : Mango Phirni is a delightful variation to the North Indian classic dessert, Phirni. This summer dessert is basically a creamy, egg-less sweet rice pudding flavored with fresh mango pulp. This Mango Phirni is sweetened with jaggery powder and the cardamom powder compliments very well with mango flavors.

73. Shevayachi Kheer / Vermicelli Pudding : Shevayachi kheer also known as semia or seviyan kheer is a creamy delectable Indian dessert in which roasted vermicelli is cooked in sweetened milk. Here i have used whole wheat vermicelli and used jaggery instead of sugar as a sweetener. 

74. Rasabali : Rasabali consists of deep fried flattened reddish brown patties of Chhena (Farmer's Cheese) that are soaked in thickened, sweetened milk (rabri). 

 75.  Mohanthal : Mohanthal is a traditional dessert from Indian state of Gujarat. It is basically a delectable, melt in mouth besan (chickpea) fudge.

• Beverages For Navratri Fasting

76. Dates Almonds and Walnut Milk Shake: A creamy rich milkshake with almonds and walnuts in which dates add as natural sweetener.

77. Masala Doodh: The Masala Doodh is a delicious sweet condensed milk enriched with nuts and flavoured with spices like Saffron , Nutmeg and green Cardamom. 

78. Miracle Drink: This delicious , healthy and filling drink made with Apple, Beetroot and Carrot juice is rich in antioxidants, powerful enzymes and nutrients.

79. Mattha / spiced butter milk: A refreshing coolant which is very good for digestion. The butter milk is spiced with ginger , roasted cumin powder, green chilly,  and rock salt and addition of fresh Coriander leaves makes it all the more flavorful. 

80. Strawberry Milkshake:  A cool creamy refreshing drink made that can be made using fresh or frozen strawberries and milk.

81. Chabeel : Chabeel is a Punjabi word referring to sweet cool non-alcoholic drink. It is also known as kachi lassi as it is a no-cook rose flavored Summer drink made with chilled water, milk and rose syrup and is an excellent thirst quencher.

82. Strawberry Rose Lassi : This refreshing and cooling drink is loaded with healthy goodness of strawberries and yogurt, has rose flavors coming from the homemade rose syrup and is sweetened with homemade rose petal jam / gulkand.

83. Homemade Rose Syrup : This homemade rose syrup is an aromatic sweet concentrate made by boiling fresh rose petals in water and then making a sugar syrup with the extracted rose water.

84. Fig Banana Smoothie : A healthy, filling and delicious fasting food made from dried figs, almonds, walnuts ,bananas , curd and milk.

• South Indian Navratri Festival Recipes

In the Northern and Western India, devotees observe 9 days fast (vrat) during the Navratri festival, whereas in the South India devotees only worship the deity and do not observe fasting. They prepare various sundal and sweets to offer to the goddess as Naivedhyam and the food is then distributed as prasad (blessed food). Following are the links to few South Indian dishes apt for the festivity.

85. Chickpea Sundal: Chickpea Sundal is common and simplest yet delicious among the Sundal recipes. An aromatic and flavorful Chickpea stir fry recipe in which the boiled chana ( kabuli Chana) are tempered with Curry Leaves , Spices and Coconut. This snack is spicy and slightly tangy in taste and can be easily prepared in very less time. 

86. Sweet Corn Sundal: Sweet Corn sundal is delicious , healthy and filling and can be made very easily with corn and basic tempering ingredients. It is one of the simplest and quickest of all sundal varieties. 

87. Pineapple Kesari: It is a delicious sweet preparation where Suji halwa is flavored with Pineapples. Pineapple puree or pineapple chunks cooked in sugar syrup can be added to the roasted Suji.

 88. 7 cup Burfi : a delicious South Indian fudge. Check out my take of replacing refined sugar with Jaggery in this traditional fudge.

89. Padala Parippu Pradhaman : Kerala style Bengal Gram pudding made with coconut milk and jaggery.

90. Puliyodharai: tamarind rice preparation, Pulihora is a popular travel food known for its long shelf life. One can also find this rice served as Naivedhyam (Prasad) in most of the South Indian Temples. This classic dish is a perfect blend of tangy and spicy flavors.

91. Sakkarai Pongal: A delectable dessert in which rice and mung lentil is cooked with ghee and jaggery and flavored with cardamom and nuts.

92. Chitranna: is basically a lemon flavored rice preparation popular in South India. It is a crunchy flavorful dish prepared my mixing steamed rice with a special seasoning of mustard seeds, lentils, curry leaves, peanuts and chilies and further flavored with lemon juice. It is considered an auspicious dish and made on festivals and offered as Naivedhyam to the deity. 

93. Gudanna: Gudanna / Bella da Anna is a traditional rice dessert from the Karnataka Cuisine. "Guda"or "Bella" means jaggery in Kannada and "Anna" means rice , so basically this is a sweetened rice where jaggery acts as a sweetener and the flavor comes from ghee, cardamom and coconut. Gudanna is a festive dish made on special occasions and festivals, like Varalakshmi Puja and Navratri and offered as a Naivedhyam to the deity. It is one of the quickest and easiest dessert to put together without compromising on the taste.

94. Thayir Sadam:  a simple yet delicious yogurt flavoured rice dish from South India. 

95. Medu Vada: Medu Vada is a doughnut shaped deep fried Urad dal (split black lentil) fritter which is very famous South Indian snack.

96. Rajma Sundal : Rajma Sundal is a protein-rich, healthy and delicious Salad made using red kidney beans. Basically, Sundal is a South Indian stir-fry made with different legumes and serves as a Naivedhyam during Navratri Festival.

97. Ammini Kozhukattai: Seasoned steamed rice flour balls offered as Naivedhyam .

98. Banana Oats Paniyaram:  Banana Oats Appam is a nutritious and flavorful snack. Mildly sweet in taste, soft and porous in texture, this paniyaram is simply irresistible! 

99. Beetroot Pachadi / Kerala Style Beetroot Yogurt Curry : Beetroot Pachadi is a healthy delicious side dish from Indian state of Kerala. Made with cooked beetroot, coconut and plain yogurt , it is usually served on special occasions and festivals.

100. Raw Mango Rice : Mango Rice is a mildly spiced, tangy South Indian rice dish made from raw mangoes. 

101. Bengali Vegetarian Thali / Durga Pooja Special Platter: There are many more dishes that can be offered to the goddess during Navratri festival. I will update the post as and when required and try to add more Naivedhyam and fasting recipes for this festivity. To wind up the post , i will share a mini Bengali vegetarian platter as my 101th recipe of this post that can be made as offering to the goddess on Durga Pooja day.

                                   

This is an updated pots. Last year i had shared a collection of 65 recipes to the #165th #FoodieMondayBloghop with #Navratri Special as the theme. I have added 35 more recipes this year to make this 101 Navratri Special recipe collection.
                                         

I hope this post will be helpful to many of you for preparing for the upcoming Navratri Festival. If you ever try any of these recipe , do share your feedback with us in the comment section below. 

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Wishing a very Happy and Blessed Navratri  festival to all those who Celebrate !!  

For more festive recipe collection from this blog, do check out the following

• 101 Sweet and Savory Diwali Recipes

                              

• 101 Christmas Special Recipes

                               

• 101 Ganesh Chaturthi Recipes