Sushmita Sengupta | Updated: April 10, 2019 18:06 IST
Chaitra Navratri started on April 6th, 2019 and will go on till 14th April 2019. Often dubbed as one of the most significant Hindu festivals, Navratri is celebrated over a course of nine days. Each day is dedicated to a form of Goddess Durga. It is believed that for these auspicious days, the Goddess descends on earth to be amid her devotees. People pray to the Goddess, make multiple offerings and even observe ritualistic fasts to seek her divine blessings. Many people refrain from eating non-vegetarian food, drinking alcohol and adopt a satvik diet that is cooked with fresh seasonal ingredients and without onion and garlic. Ashtami and Navmi, both days are considered quite auspicious and various Navratri sweets are prepared on these two days. Dietary restrictions differ from family to family, but in most beliefs, one is allowed to consume all Indian desserts, especially the ones made with milk, ghee, coconut and nuts.
Potato and its versatility merits a chronicle of its own. Aloo ka halwa is a special vrat delicacy, hugely popular across Northern households. Made with mashed potatoes, milk and sugar, aloo ka halwa is a super easy and quick recipe you can try this fasting season.
(Also Read: Navratri 2019: 5 Potato Or Aloo Recipes You Can Enjoy While Fasting For Chaitra Navratri)
Kheer and Indian festivals go hand in hand. This special kheer takes care of all your fasting limitations and is made with vrat-friendly ingredients such as parsai, rice like ingredient, milk and sugar.
(Also Read: Navratri 2019: Date, Time, Significance Of Chaitra Navratri 2019)
Bite-sized ladoos made with fresh desiccated coconut and oodles of ghee, this delicious ladoo can be offered to Goddess as a prasad and can be enjoyed later with your family. The wholesome ladoo also has a generous portion of cashews and almonds.
(Also Read: Navratri 2019: Here's What You Can Prepare For Your Kids During Fasting Days)
Makhana, or Fox nut, is one vrat superfood you should make part of your kitchen essentials now. The milk-soaked makhanas in a wholesome and fragrant kheer is perfect for those untimely cravings.
Rich, creamy, nutty rabdi that comes with goodness of apples, almonds and pistachios. The fragrant dessert also has essence of cardamom that takes the delectable quotient of the dish a notch higher.
This Chaitra Navratri, do not hold yourself back and experiment with all the amazing items that you can explore. Make use of Navratri special ingredients and treat your taste buds. If you have any delicious vrat-special recipe to share, do write to us in the comments section.
Here's wishing you all a very Happy Navratri 2019!
About Sushmita SenguptaSharing a strong penchant for food, Sushmita loves all things good, cheesy and greasy. Her other favourite pastime activities other than discussing food includes, reading, watching movies and binge-watching TV shows.