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Chaitra Navratri is an important Hindu festival that marks the start of the Hindu new year. It celebrates the different forms of the goddess Durga. During the festival, Hindus worship the nine different forms of Durga. Each day represents one form of the goddess.
Some of the dishes are pineapple rabdi, dhokla, kele ki tikki, and more. Here are nine fast-friendly recipes that can be cooked for the nine days of fasting during Chaitra Navratri.
Falahari Bhel
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Falahari bhel is a simple yet delicious fasting dish in India made with just a few ingredients. Peanuts, makhane, grated carrots, boiled potatoes, cucumbers, tomatoes, coriander, and chutney are combined for this easy fasting meal that can be served with tea, coffee, or lassi. With just a few ingredients, this bhel offers flavours and nutrition perfect for fasting.
Vrat Ki Kadhi
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Rajgira kadhi is a tasty and nutritious dish perfect for Navratri fasting. To make it, whisk the chilli curd, rajgira flour, and water until smooth. Heat ghee in a pan, add cumin seeds and ginger-chilli paste, and then pour in the curd mixture. Season with rock salt and sugar. Let it simmer, stirring occasionally, until it thickens. Garnish with coriander leaves. This quick and easy kadhi goes well with sama rice, rajgira pooris, or kuttu ki pooris.
Vratwala Chawal Dhokla
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Using samwat chaawal, a special Navaratri rice, soak and ferment the batter overnight before steaming. Once cooked, cut into pieces and temper with aromatic spices like cumin, red chilli, curry leaves, and ghee. The steaming process gives it a spongy texture, while the spices provide a flavourful kick. This satisfying snack allows you to celebrate the festive spirit of Navaratri while adhering to fasting restrictions.
Falahari Paneer Makhane Gulgulle
For Falahari Paneer Makhane Gulgulle, foxnuts are dry-roasted until browned and ground into a fine powder. This powder is combined with paneer, potatoes, flour, and spices, then rolled into balls and fried until crispy. The resulting falahari gulgulle is a light yet satisfying vegan appetiser that can be enjoyed with a vrat wali chutney during the Navratri.
Kuttu Ka Dosa
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Boiled, mashed potatoes mixed with spices make a tasty filling. The combination of kuttu ka atta, and potato makes a satisfying dosa that adheres to fasting rules but doesn't compromise on taste.
Singhare ke Atte ka Samosa
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These crispy, fried samosas made with water chestnut flour are a perfect snack to enjoy during Navratri fasting. For the dough, boil water, chestnut flour, ghee, and salt, then let cool before rolling into thin rounds. Fill the dough with the spiced potato mixture, seal it at the edges, and fry until golden brown. The crunchy exterior and savoury interior make these samosas a tasty treat that satisfies cravings for something crispy during the Navratri fast. Enjoy with a tangy coriander chutney for a flavourful snack.
Kacche Kele Ki Tikki 
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Raw bananas are rich in fibre, carbohydrates, and vitamins, making the cutlets very healthy. First, chop the cashews into small pieces and set them aside. Then, pressure cook the bananas and potatoes until soft and desired so they're easy to handle. Next, peel and mash or grate the bananas and potatoes. Add the other tikki the desired mix well. Grease your hands and shape the mixture into tikkis of desired size and shape. Fry the tikkis in a pan on medium-low heat on both sides until crisp, or deep fry or air fry until golden brown. Finally, serve the tikkis with chutney for a tasty and wholesome teatime treat.
Pineapple Rabri
It is made by slowly simmering full-fat milk over low heat for hours until it thickens and turns a light pink colour. Thick, sweetened condensed milk is then combined with juicy pineapple slices that have been patted dry. The rabri is chilled thoroughly before serving. Toppings like chopped pistachios or almonds add crunch.
Samak Aur Kele Ka Paratha
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It's made with a dough of ground samak rice and mashed raw banana, seasoned simply with ginger, green chillies, and cilantro. The rice and banana blend yields a soft, pliable dough that can be rolled out and cooked into a flatbread on a griddle. As it cooks, ghee is added which gives this bread its signature richness and flavour. The paratha makes for a hearty yet light meal when served with a fasting-friendly curry or yoghurt sauce.
