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Navratri is one of the most loved and celebrated festivals in India. People immerse themselves in the essence of devotion, and many also keep fast to keep their mind and soul calm. During these nine auspicious days, food also plays a major role, not just as a meal, but also as an offering of devotion. Since many people avoid regular grains, onions, garlic, and heavy spices during the nine fasting days, they often look for options that provide nutrition while also being packed with flavours and satisfying cravings.
If you also want to give a twist to the regular vrat meals, you can try the light and comforting sabudana khichdi from Maharashtra, or the spicy and flavour-packed sundal from Tamil Nadu. Every region has something special to offer. Gujarat’s farali dhokla, Himachal’s kuttu ki roti, and Uttar Pradesh’s aloo-based curries all add variety to the Navratri menu. These dishes are not just about following the fasting rules, but also about celebrating traditions, seasonal produce, and family get-togethers around food.
Sabudana Khichdi And Vada, Maharashtra
In Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar, the festival of Navratri is not complete without having a satisfying bowl of sabudana khichdi. Prepared with sago pearls or sabudana, roasted peanuts, boiled potatoes, green chillies, and a squeeze of lemon for some tangy kick, this dish is both fulfilling and light on the stomach. It gives the body the required energy for the fasting days while keeping digestion easy. Just add a bowl of curd, and the dish is a perfect balance among carbs, protein, and healthy fats. Not only during vrat, but it can also be enjoyed when you are craving for some wholesome and satisfying meal.
Farali Dhokla, Gujarat
No place can match the vibe of Navratri like Gujarat, where Garba nights and food play an important role. Farali dhokla, prepared by using sama or barnyard millet or kuttu flour, is a famous fasting treat in the state. Fluffy, spongy, and lightly seasoned with green chillies and ginger, this dhokla is prepared by steaming and garnished with a tempering of cumin as well as curry leaves. It is sattvic yet flavourful, which makes it a perfect snack while you are fasting. Paired with vrat-friendly green chutney, the farali dhokla mirrors Gujarat’s talent for turning simple ingredients into festive delicacies to enjoy.
Aloo Tamatar Ki Sabzi, Uttar Pradesh
In Uttar Pradesh, the fasting meals are centred around potatoes, and among all this, aloo curries stand as a Navratri staple. Aloo tamatar sabzi is one of those, and it is a simple yet flavourful curry prepared with boiled potatoes cooked in a tangy tomato gravy, spiced with green chillies, cumin, and sendha namak (rock salt), specially used during a fast. It goes well with kuttu ki puri or samak rice, which makes a wholesome fasting meal to enjoy. Easy to prepare and loaded with flavours, this dish is a go-to during the nine fasting days without getting bored.
Sundal, Tamil Nadu
In the state of Tamil Nadu, Navratri is marked with vibrant kolu displays, and food offerings have a special significance during these 9 days. Sundal is a protein-loaded snack that is prepared with legumes such as chickpeas, black-eyed peas, or even sweet corn. The legumes are first boiled, then sautéed with seasoning of mustard seeds, curry leaves, green chillies, and fresh coconut. It is light, nourishing, and deeply rooted in custom. Sundal is often distributed as prasad during Navratri gatherings, symbolising community sharing while delivering a wholesome, sattvic dish that matches perfectly with the fasting guidelines.
Kuttu Ki Roti With Aloo Curry, Himachal Pradesh
In Himachal Pradesh, one of the most loved varieties of Navratri is kuttu (buckwheat) ki roti paired with a mildly seasoned aloo curry. Kuttu flour is rich in protein as well as gluten-free, and has a nutty, earthy flavour. With potato curry that is prepared using rock salt and minimal spices, this dish is both filling and nourishing. Not only during Navratri, but it can also be enjoyed as an everyday comforting meal.
