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Navratri in Ahmedabad is not just a festivity - it is an experience. For nine auspicious days, the city glows with lights, music, and the vibrant energy of garba. People decked in colourful traditional attire gather in large grounds and dance their hearts out. But amid all the celebration, there is something more that makes the festival extra special, i.e., the food. Ahmedabad during Navratri becomes a food paradise offering everything from vrat-friendly dishes to delicious festive treats.
Once the garba beats slow down and you feel like fueling yourself, the food stalls across the city come alive, serving a variety of Navrati treats that are just delectable. Each dish not only satisfies the hunger pangs you get after hours of dancing but also celebrates the spirit of the celebration, bringing family, friends, and strangers together over food. So, whether you're fasting, feasting, or simply soaking in the festivity, the must-try foods of Ahmedabad during Navratri will surely add flavour to your celebration.
Must-Try Foods In Ahmedabad During Navratri
Fafda-Jalebi
Celebrating the festival of Navratri is incomplete in Ahmedabad if you have not tried your hand at this iconic combo. Crispy, savoury fafdas prepared from gram flour pair or besan pairs perfectly with hot, syrupy jalebis, which creates a perfect balance of flavours you cannot resist. The street stalls across the city come alive during the festival of Navratri, serving this duo, often with raw papaya chutney on the side. After playing a round of garba, this snack is everyone’s go-to choice, combining crunch, sweetness, and tradition all in one plate.
Handvo
Handvo is a savoury Gujarati patty that is prepared with lentils, rice, and vegetables such as bottle gourd. Baked or pan-cooked with a crispy crust from outside and soft from inside, it is wholesome, filling, and light on the stomach. During Navratri, many restaurants and food stalls serve this dish with chutney on the side. Its unique texture and taste make it an ideal pre-garba snack that is both healthy and satisfying.
Sabudana Khichdi
For those who keep fast during Navratri, sabudana khichdi is a staple food that can be found almost at every food stall and restaurant in Ahmedabad. Made with sago pearls, roasted peanuts, potatoes, and mild spices, it is light on the stomach and wholesome. Every bite feels like a perfect mix of soft, nutty, and flavourful textures. Some local eateries also have a special touch with extra crunch or seasoning. Not only is it vrat-friendly, but it is also a comforting dish that fuels long nights of dancing and passion, which makes it a Navratri must-have in the city.
Undhiyu
Undhiyu is a signature Gujarati dish that is prepared in a lighter, vrat-friendly version during Navratri. Instead of the usual mix, the fasting versions are prepared with seasonal veggies and peanuts and with less oil. Slow-cooked with some aromatic spices, it is hearty and full of flavours. Traditionally, a winter delicacy, the special Navratri stalls and households serve it as a festive treat. This dish displays the spirit of Gujarati hospitality, i.e. generous, wholesome, and absolutely delicious - perfect to share with family and friends during the celebrations.
Shrikhand
No Gujarati festivity is complete without a dessert, and if it's Navratri, shrikhand takes the limelight. This is a creamy, rich, and cooling dessert that is prepared from strained yoghurt, flavoured with saffron and cardamom, and topped with nuts. Often served with puris or enjoyed on its own, shrikhand is loved by people of all age groups. In Ahmedabad, some sweet shops also sell special festive versions of Shrikhand during Navratri, which makes it a perfect way to end a fasting meal on a delicious note.
