Fasting Recipes For Navaratri - 2025

Celebrate Navaratri with These  Special Recipes

Navaratri (Navratri), the vibrant nine-night festival dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga (Durga maa/ Durga Mata/ Kanaka Durga/ Durga devi/ Mahishasura martini), is a time of devotion, dance, and delicious food. Celebrated across India with fervor, this festival brings families together to honor the divine feminine energy through rituals, garba, and fasting. In Navaratri fasts, food plays a significant role, with many opting for sattvic, vegetarian dishes. Here’s a five Navaratri-special recipes that are easy to prepare, nutritious, and bursting with flavor, ensuring your festive table is as divine as the celebrations.

Sabudana Khichdi
A Navaratri staple, sabudana (sago /sagu /tapioca pearls /pearl sago / tapioca sago/ javarishi) khichdi is a light yet satisfying dish perfect for fasting. Soak 1 cup of sabudana in water for 4-5 hours until soft, then drain. Heat 2 tablespoons of ghee (ghṛta /ghī /ney/ neyyi /tuppa /neyyuh /tūp) in a pan, add 1 teaspoon cumin seeds (Jeera/ Jiraka/ Jeeragam/ Jidakara), and let them splutter. Toss in 1 finely chopped green chili (Hari mirch/  Milagay/ Mirchi/ Lanka/ Mirapa kaya/ Mensina kai/ Marcha)  and 1 medium boiled potato (Aloo/ Batata/ Bangala Dumpa) (cubed). Add the soaked sabudana, ¼ cup roasted peanut powder (Mungfali / Pallelu/ Kadalai / Singdana), and rock salt (Namak) to taste. Stir gently on medium heat for 5-7 minutes until the sabudana pearls turn translucent. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves (Dhania/ Kothamalli/ Kothimbir/ Kothameera/ Malli ila/ Dhane Patta) and a squeeze of lemon juice (Nimbu/ Nemu), for a zesty finish. This dish is quick, gluten-free, and provides energy to keep you going through the festive days.

Kuttu Ki Puri
Kuttu (buckwheat flour/ Kotu/ Kootu/ Kutti-no-Daro/ Titaphapur)) puris are a crispy, fasting-friendly alternative to regular puris ( muri/ murmura/ kurmura/ mamra/ moori/ pori). In a bowl, mix 1 cup kuttu flour, 1 medium mashed boiled potato, and a pinch of rock salt. Knead into a firm dough using minimal water (Paani/ Jal/Neer/ Neeru/ Vellam). Divide the dough into small balls, roll them into small puris, and deep-fry in ghee or oil until golden brown. These puris pair perfectly with a simple aloo tamatar curry (made without onion or garlic) or yogurt (Dahi/ Mosaru/ Perugu/ Moru/ Dadhi/ Doi). The nutty flavor of kuttu flour makes this dish a delightful addition to your Navaratri menu, offering a wholesome, gluten-free option.

Rajgira Ladoo
For a sweet treat, rajgira (Amaranth/ Ramdana/ Kingseed) ladoos are a nutritious and festive choice. Dry roast 1 cup of rajgira flour on low heat until aromatic. In a separate pan, melt ¾ cup jaggery (Gud/ Bellam/ Sharkara/ Bella/ Gul) with 2 tablespoons of water to form a thick syrup. Mix the roasted rajgira flour into the jaggery syrup, add 2 tablespoons of chopped almonds (Badam/ Baadaami/ Vadumai) or cashews (Kaju/ Godambi/ Kasundi/ Jeedi Paruppu/ Kasu andipuppu), and a pinch of cardamom powder (Elaichi/ Elam/ Elakki/  Eichi/ Sukshmaila) for flavor. Let the mixture cool slightly, then shape into small ladoos. These bite-sized delights are naturally gluten-free, rich in protein, and perfect for satisfying sweet cravings during fasting.

Samak Rice Pulao
Samak rice (Barnyard millet/ Samo/ Mordhan/ Sanwa/ Kuthiravali) ) is a popular fasting grain that makes a flavorful pulao. Rinse 1 cup samak rice and soak for 30 minutes. In a pan, heat 1 tablespoon ghee, add 1 teaspoon cumin seeds, 1 chopped green chili, and a handful of diced vegetables like carrots (and beans (optional). Add the soaked samak rice, 2 cups water, and rock salt to taste. Cook on low heat until the rice is soft and fluffy, about 10-12 minutes. Garnish with fresh coriander and serve with a side of yogurt or cucumber (heera/ Kankri/ Dosakaya/ Dosekaya/ Vellari/ Kanivellari/ Shosha) raita. This light, wholesome dish is easy to digest and keeps you full during fasting.

Coconut Ladoo
No festival is complete without a sweet, and coconut (nariyal/ naral/ narikela/ thengai/ tenginakayi) ladoos are a quick, no-fuss dessert for Navaratri. In a pan, heat 1 cup grated fresh coconut and ½ cup condensed milk on low heat, stirring continuously until the mixture thickens (about 5-7 minutes). Add a pinch of cardamom powder and mix well. Let it cool slightly, then shape into small balls. Roll the ladoos (laddu) in desiccated coconut for extra texture. These melt-in-the-mouth treats are perfect for offering as prasad or sharing with loved ones during the festivities.

These five recipes sabudana khichdi, kuttu ki puri, rajgira ladoo, samak rice pulao, and coconut ladoo are not only delicious but also align with Navaratri fasting traditions, avoiding grains, pulses, and certain spices. They’re simple to prepare, allowing you to focus on the spiritual and cultural essence of the festival. Whether you’re fasting or simply celebrating, these dishes bring the flavors of Navaratri to your table, fostering a sense of togetherness and joy. Try them out, share them with family, and let the festive spirit shine through every bite!