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Mahashivratri is an annual Hindu festival that is celebrated in the spring season. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is believed to be ‘The Great Night of Shiva’ when He and Goddess Parvati tied the knot. Many devotees also believe that it is the same night when the deity performed the divine dance, Tandava. In 2024, the auspicious festival will be observed on March 8.
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Devotees observe fast on this day, meditate, and chant prayers asking for the blessings of Lord Shiva. Pilgrims visit temples across India, many of which organise feasts and feed underprivileged people. Much like other festivals in India, Mahashivratri is also associated with fasting and temple food people indulge in across various states. Here is a list of food items that take centre stage on this occasion.
Uttar Pradesh And Punjab
In Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, Mahashivratri is a festival celebrated by devotees with fervour and joy. Since most Hindu communities living in the states have the tradition of observing fast, people add sabudana (sago) khichdi, sighare (water chestnut flour) ka halwa, makhana (fox nuts) kheer, sama rice pulao, and fruit chaat to their diet. They break the fast in the evening when devotees pair kuttu ki puri with aloo-tamatar sabzi. The food is first offered to Lord Shiva, and the rest of the family consumes it later.
Also Read: Aloo Methi Tamatar In Dhaba Style Recipe
Jammu & Kashmir
People practising Shaivism in Jammu & Kashmir celebrate this festival by observing fast and carrying out vibrant processions on the streets. For many people, this day calls for a feast even if they are fasting. Popular dishes include sighare atta roti, dum aloo, phirni (rice pudding), fruit chaat, Kashmiri kehwa, dum aloo, and Kashmiri pulao. Much like the parts of the country, Sabudana Khichdi is equally famous here.
Gujarat And Rajasthan
Sharing borders, Gujarat and Rajasthan celebrate Mahashivratri with utmost joy. While food eaten by people in Rajasthan is quite similar to what is consumed in Uttar Pradesh, including kuttu ki puri, sabudana khichdi, and sama rice pulao, thandi is a special beverage made with milk, spices, saffron, and nuts that devotees like to consume in the state. In Gujarat, thepla, dhokla, sabudana vada, barnyard khichdi take the centre stage.
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is also the home to many devotees of Lord Shiva who celebrate this day with regional flavours and traditions. Apart from sabudana vada and khichdi, upvas batata bhaji, fruit salad, sama rice bhagar, moricha rassa (tangy-spicy curry), puran poli, and shrikhand are first offered to the deity and consumed by the devotees.
Assam
Located in the middle of the Brahmaputra River is the Umananda Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is revered by devotees who celebrating the festival with enthusiasm. While dishes might vary from one household to another, some of the common ones that are common across the state are khaar (made with raw papaya, taro leaves, and pulses), joha rice, aloo pitika, tenga (tangy-sour curry), pitha (coconut-rice flour snack), and chira (flattened rice). They are paired with Assamese tea and pickles.
Kerala And Tamil Nadu
Kerala and Tamil Nadu are two neighbouring states featuring many temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. Mahashivratri is celebrated across these states with a lot of enthusiasm as many temples organise feasts. In Kerala, devotees indulge in semiya payasam (vermicelli pudding), nei appam (coconut-rice flour sweet), Kerala parippu curry (yellow lentils cooked with spices), and banana chips. And avail (vegetable curry). In Tamil Nadu, the festive spread on this day includes sakkarai pongal (sweet rice pongal), nei appam, medu vada, venn pongal, thayir vadai (deep-fried lentil dumplings), sundal (boiled chickpea snack), milagu vadai, and puliyodarai.
