Chaitra Navratri 2022: Date, Time, Significance And Vrat-Special Foods With Recipes

Every year, as the spring paves way for summer, Hindus across the country start preparing for one of the biggest religious festival - Navratri. While a total of four Navratris fall in a span of one year, two of them - Chaitra Navratri and Sharad Navratri are predominantly celebrated in the country. According to the Gregorian calendar, Chaitra Navratri falls in the first month, called Chaitra, of the Hindu lunar-solar calendar. It is a nine-day festival, and this year, it commences today on 2nd April 2022 and will go on till 11th April 2022, with Ashtami being celebrated on the last day after. 9th day is celebrated as Navami, which marks the birth day of Lord Rama.  

Puja Timings: 

Mahurat Time (Kalash Sthapna): 2nd April 2022 (Saturday) - 6.22 a.m. to 8.29 a.m. 

Total Duration: 2 hours and 18 minutes 

Abhijeet Mahurat of Ghatasthapana:  2ndApril, 2022 - 12.08 p.m. to 12.57 p.m. 

Significance Of Chaitra Navratri: 

The nine days of Chaitra Navratri are devoted to worshipping the nine incarnations of Goddess Durga. Many people also observe fast on the first and last day, or all nine days. Sattvik diet is to be followed, which prohibits the consumption of onion, garlic, eggs, meats and alcohol. Many devotees also observe phallar fasting, which makes them abstain from consuming grains, cereals and legumes too.  

(Also Read: Chaitra Navratri: This Healthy Navratri Meal Plan Has 15 Vrat-Friendly Recipes To Try)

^{Navratri 2022: Devotees observe fast and consume special foods during Navratri.} 

Vrat-Special Foods For Chaitra Navrati: 

While there may be quite a few limitations on foods that can be had during the festival, you can still find many options that will satiate your hunger and appetite. As there is a sharp transition in the weather, it is advised to eat light and easy-to-digest foods.  

Here are the most popular vrat-friendly foods that are consumed during Navratri: 

Vrat Wale Aloo: 

Potatoes are cooked in a simple gravy of tomatoes, seasoned with mild spices and rock salt instead of table salt. Click here to see the recipe. 

Kuttu Ki Poori:

Kuttu atta is famously consumed during Navratri. This flour has a distinct nutty taste and is quite filling too. It is best paired with vrat wale aloo. Click here for the recipe. 

Sabudana Khichdi: 

Rice is replaced by sabudana to make this surprisingly delicious khichdi. This khichdi is also topped with peanuts for that extra kick of flavour and nutrition. Click here for the recipe. 

Samak Dosa: 

This low-calorie dosa is made with vrat-special samak rice and singhare ka atta, and is filled with a light yet delicious potato stuffing. Click here for the recipe. 

Makhane Ki Kheer:

Again, regular rice is discarded in this originally rice-based dessert, and is replaced by makhane (fox nuts). The soft and spongy makhane cooked in a pool of milk filled with sweetener and dry fruits, is something everyone likes to have during Navratri, even if they are not fasting. Click here for the recipe. 

There it is - everything you need to know about Chaitra Navratri and how to observe this pious festival. 

Happy Chaitra Navratri 2022!