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Navratri is not only a spiritual festival but also a time to feed the body with sattvik and nutrient-rich foods. Among the most popular fasting elements is Rajgira, also known as Amaranth. It is a powerhouse of essential nutrients required for the body. Naturally gluten-free and easy to digest, rajgira is perfect for maintaining energy levels during the fasting days. Whether it is in the form of fluffy puris, hearty parathas, or sweet ladoos, rajgira adapts beautifully to a variety of vrat-friendly dishes.
Its nutty flavour and nutritional value make it a must-have during the Navratri fasting. If you are looking to break the monotonous regular fasting fare, these rajgira recipes are wholesome, tasty, and completely align with traditional fasting rules. From savoury to sweet, here are five rajgira-based dishes that strike the perfect balance between taste and tradition.
Rajgira Paratha
Rajgira paratha is a healthy and gluten-free flatbread made with amaranth flour, making it an ideal choice for Navratri fasting. The dough is prepared using boiled potatoes, which helps in binding. It is then spiced up with sendha namak, or rock salt, and gently rolled out to make parathas before pan-frying them in ghee. These parathas are soft, filling, and pair amazingly with curd, vrat-special chutneys and aloo curry. Loaded with protein and fibre, rajgira parathas are a fantastic way to stay energised during the fast while still filling your mouth with comfort food.
Rajgira Ladoo
Rajgira ladoos are healthy, sweet treats prepared by mixing popped amaranth seeds in jaggery. It is a perfect quick snack during fasting, which is not only tasty but also rich in calcium and iron. The puffed rajgira is blended with warm jaggery syrup and then shaped to make small ladoos. These bite-sized ladoos deliver a satisfying crunch, and their natural sweetness helps in curbing sugar cravings without breaking fasting rules. They can also be stored well for a longer duration, making them a handy, energy-boosting snack throughout Navratri.
Rajgira Halwa
It is a rich, comforting dessert that is an absolute vrat favourite for many. Rajgira halwa is prepared by roasting amaranth flour in ghee until it turns aromatic and golden in colour, then slowly cooked with water or milk along with jaggery or sugar. Cardamom and nuts are also added, which gives a warm depth of flavour and crunch. Gluten-free and loaded with nutrients, rajgira halwa is easy to digest and keeps you full for longer hours. It is a soulful dish that carries festive sweetness without compromising on fasting rules.
Rajgira Puri
Crispy from the outside and soft from the inside, rajgira puris are a festive favourite during Navratri. The dough is prepared from amaranth flour, mashed potatoes, and sendha namak, then rolled to make small puris and deep-fried in ghee. These puris have a nutty flavour that beautifully pairs with vrat-friendly sabzis such as aloo-tamatar or kaddu (pumpkin). Rajgira puris are a delightful option when you are craving something traditional as well as festive during the fasting days.
Rajgira Chikki
Rajgira chikki is a crunchy, crispy snack prepared by binding popped amaranth seeds with jaggery. It is somewhat similar to peanut chikki but is lighter and vrat-friendly. Once the jaggery syrup gets the right consistency, it is mixed with the rajgira seeds, spread out, and cut into square-shaped or bar-shaped pieces. Loaded with minerals, this snack is an amazing option for an instant energy boost during long fasting hours. Rajgira chikki is not just a Navratri food, but it is a healthy treat you will want all year round.
