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Ashtami is the eighth day of the Navratri festival. As per the Drik Panchang, this year Ashtami Tithi will begin at 4:31 PM on Monday, September 29, 2025 and will conclude at 6:06 PM on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. This day carries great significance, where devotees offer bhog to Goddess Durga. The ashtami bhog includes all the sweet and savoury things such as chana, poori and halwa, which are prepared in a sattvic manner, symbolising purity and devotion.
Among these, kheer is the most loved choice, which is prepared in many variations across Indian households. Whether it’s the comforting rice kheer, vrat-friendly sabudana version, or nutrient-rich makhana delight, each bowl holds the essence of tradition and celebration.
Each region has its own twist to this simple dessert. Some use jaggery for an earthy taste, others infuse saffron to give a royal touch, which makes kheer not just a dessert but a reflection of India’s diverse festive traditions. Here are five must-try kheer recipes that will be a perfect fit for Knajak Puja while blending devotion.
Chawal Ki Kheer
Rice kheer or chawal ki kheer is one of the most classic offerings prepared for Ashtami bhog. Prepared by slowly boiling rice with milk, sugar, and some cardamom, it is simmered till it reaches a creamy texture and a thickened consistency of milk. Garnished with chopped nuts and some saffron strands, this kheer is a timeless favourite and comforting. It is a staple in bhog thalis, where it symbolises the purity and devotion of the devotees. Served either warm or chilled, rice kheer is a classic dessert and continues to be a favourite across many Indian households.
Image courtesy: Freepik
Sabudana Kheer
Sabudana kheer is a vrat-friendly dessert that is prepared with tapioca pearls. It is often offered in Ashtami bhog as well. The sabudana pearls turn sheer and soft when slow-cooked in milk, as they absorb all the creaminess of milk while providing a melt-in-the-mouth texture. Flavoured up with cardamom and garnished with some roasted cashews or raisins, this kheer is light but filling. Often enjoyed during festive days, it is a quick energy booster and is easy to digest. As part of bhog, sabudana kheer represents a sattvic, wholesome dessert perfect for offerings in the Ashtami bhog.
Makhana Kheer
Makhana, or fox nuts, are first roasted in little ghee and then boiled with milk to make a nutrient-rich kheer. The roasted makhanas turn soft and spongy when simmered in the milk, making a unique texture that goes beautifully with cardamom and some dry fruits. Loved for being light and nutritious, makhana kheer is a popular fasting sweet. It is considered auspicious to serve as a bhog as its delicate flavour makes it both festive and enjoyable.
Image courtesy: Freepik
Coconut Kheer
Coconut kheer or nariyal ki kheer is a refreshing twist to the traditional bhog sweets. To prepare this, freshly grated coconut is boiled with milk or sometimes coconut milk (for a vegan variation). Further sweetened with sugar or jaggery, this kheer holds a subtle, tropical sweetness of coconut. Garnishing with some cardamom enhances the aroma, while adding oashews and raisins adds an extra crunch to this delightful kheer. Since coconut is considered pure and auspicious in many Hindu rituals, this dish holds special importance during Ashtami. It is light yet full of flavour, which makes it a delightful addition to bhog, particularly for those looking for a variation from heavier milk-based kheers.
Lauki Kheer
Lauki kheer is a traditional dessert that is often prepared during Navratri bhog, including Ashtami. Grated bottle gourd is simmered in milk until it gets soft, absorbing the creaminess of milk while adding a subtle freshness. Sweetened with sugar and flavoured with cardamom, it tastes amazing when garnished with almonds and some pistachios. Lauki kheer is light, easy on the stomach, and considered perfect for fasting because of its cooling properties. It is packed with nutrients, which makes it a healthy and enjoyable dessert. Offering this kheer during bhog represents simplicity, wholesomeness, and devotion.
