10 Easy to Make Navratri Fasting Recipes to Keep Your Strength Up for other Festivities + Why Eating Right is So Important at This Time (2019)

As we already mentioned there are not many restrictions in Hindu fast system. There is no hard and fast rule for this tradition. Some people do not eat during the entire fast, some eat one time in a day, some people eat fruits and some special kind of recipes. People have their own believes and liking towards fast culture.

Here we are coming up with some special recipes which anyone can eat during fast. Many people prefer only vegetarian during fast. We especially took care of this thing.

Since ancient times, fasting plays a central role in several cultures and has been a popular practice for various religions. It is regarded as a tool for strengthening our spirit and adds grace to our lives. For Hindus, Navaratri is one of the most popular festivals, and it is an ideal opportunity for the devotees to undertake fasting or ‘upwas’ to purify his or her mind, body and soul.

The festival Navratri usually starts at the time when season changes, which affect the mind and body. Thus, fasting during Navratri rekindles the digestive fire and burns toxins in the body. As the toxins are flushed out of the body, you feel rejuvenated without lethargy or dullness. It also acts as a de-stressor and builds up immunity. Hence fasting is also seen as a way to de-stress ourselves.

According to the Ayurveda, fasting enhances Sattva Guna: Fasting increases positivity and tranquillity within us as meditation increases Sattva. It makes the body lighter, energetic and efficient. When you are fasting your body is detoxifying and making your prayer authentic, sincere and more powerful.

We know that some people can not sustain without food, and Hindu tradition does not restrict them from eating. There are some recipes which people can eat during fasting time too. Many people are not aware of these recipes so we brought the recipes list with the ingredients and making method. Anyone with the basic cooking skill can make these recipes very easily.

We all know that Indian fasts and its dishes seem incomplete without the use of sabudana. It is a versatile ingredient that is also known as Tapioca and can be cooked in a variety of ways. Sabudana which is derived from the extract of the plant root, which although high in calories, is wholesome and has many health benefits. One of the reasons to eat sabudana is that it is rich in energy, and people eat this dish during fasting on Navratri as it loads them with instant energy. Sabudana Khichdi is a delicious main course recipe that you can make for anyone without putting much effort. Another added benefit of this dish is that it is gluten-free and non-allergic.

We all know that Indian fasts and its dishes seem incomplete without the use of sabudana. It is a versatile ingredient that is also known as Tapioca and can be cooked in a variety of ways. Sabudana is derived from the extract of the plant root, which is high in calories, wholesome and has many health benefits. One of the reasons to eat sabudana is that it is rich in energy, that’s why people eat this dish during fasting on Navratri as it loads them with instant energy. Sabudana Khichdi is a delicious main course recipe that you can make for anyone without putting much effort. It is a perfect Vrat recipe which can be savoured on festivals like Navratri with ease as it is gluten-free and non-allergic.

‘Aloo tamatar ki sabzi’ is a regular cooked dish in North Indian households. It is super easy to make, and mostly everyone is comfortable eating it even at the time of Navratri fast. It is not only a flavorful and delicious curry but a general quick-fix solution if you don't have many vegetables home or you don't have that ample time to cook. It is one of the most popular side dishes, and it goes well enough with a variety of Indian bread. Plain puri, dal poori, masala poori or simple rotis are some of the good choices to eat along with this sabzi. You can make the curry according to your need of amount and consistency. In Indian festivals, it is a common choice as it does not contain any onion or garlic.

On tough fasting days like the festivals of Navratri, Kuttu Aloo Vada is a smart choice to make as evening snacks. It is so delicious and a real treat during fasting days which you will love. It is effortless to make, and anyone can enjoy these snacks at any time of the year, even if you are not having ‘vrat’. These spicy potato balls should be well fried and served with ‘vrat wale chutneys’ (chutneys made especially for fasting days).

Raw banana and paneer are both veggie dishes which is used during fasts and festivals. Children love both paneer and raw banana. This recipe is a perfect North Indian dish that has great flavour. It can also be served dry as an appetizer or in a rich gravy as a main course dish. The veggie balls with warm gravy add magic touch which pulls the dish together, and you can enjoy it with both rice and Rotis. You can also make it a little spicy to enjoy with Pulao on special occasions. The preparation time for this recipe is sixteen minutes and making time is 30 min.

If you love the tangy flavour in a dish that can be sweet, a little sour and spicy, this unique recipe will make you happy. During fasting days, delicious and different food makes dull moments more enjoyable. The watermelon curry is easy to make, which can be considered as go-to recipe after a first try. It is a low-waste dish as you will need to use almost all the watermelon. It will be your hit recipe during the Navratri fast and beyond that. It is also a vegan and gluten-free dish for any occasion. Cooking time for this dish is 30 minutes and enjoy it with rice or chapatis.

Raita is a delicious and healthy dish to add with all the main and side dishes. If you have spicy and fiery dishes, then raita will give a cooling touch to the taste buds while balancing the heat of the spiciness on food. It is a traditional Indian side dish that is delightful in taste and comes in numerous varieties. It can be made with vegetables and fruits both. We will see a tangy and sweet ‘pineapple raita’ recipe today with the combination of curd spice powders which will make a tongue-tickling taste that will make perfect side dishes for parathas. You can use fresh or canned pineapple according to your choice. Use fresh curds and not too many sour curds which may ruin the fruity taste. You can add pomegranate to make it a unique fruity dish. Along with pineapple and curds you will just cumin seeds, powdered sugar, and salt to taste.

Rava or suji is coarsely grounded husked wheat which is used in various dishes. The fineness will depend on the type of dish such as if you are making Rava dosa then you will need fine suji. It is a good source of carbohydrates that provides the needed energy, and it is also low in calories which is ideal healthy food which helps in weight-loss and satisfies your hunger too. It is netted textured and looks golden crisp while served. Suji dosa is thin and crispy, perfect for those fasting days during festivals like Navaratri. Suji or Rava dosa can be prepared plain, or you can add vegetables and spices. You will need to keep the batter for 30 minutes before making. Serve the suji dosa hot, with sambar, coconut chutney for dosa podi.

Got very less time in hand? Then this recipe is for you. This recipe is very easy to make and also very less time-consuming. This USP of the recipe makes it very popular during not only the Navrati fasting or vrat days but also for other religious fasting or festivals. A little secret to share with you - the key to making perfect halwa is adding hot milk or water to avoid any lumps and stirring continuously in between. Also never leave the dough unattended on the stove. In English Singhare ka atta is called ‘chestnut flour’. The preparation time is 5 minutes and cooking time is 15 minutes for this recipe.

During the fast of Navratri along with foods, you need to keep yourself hydrated. Caffeinated cold drinks or syrupy ready-made fruit juices are not suitable for health. Instead, try some homemade delicious and healthy fruit-based drink which like a kiwi cucumber mint mocktail. Both ingredients are super hydrated and awesome to cool down your body.

Kiwi fruit has many health benefits, and both are high in water. They are rich in vitamin C and great appetizer and promotes digestion. Kiwi is a sour fruit so you may need to add some honey for extra sweetness. All the ingredients of this mocktail are highly nutritious and beneficial for better skin. For this tangy drink, you will need kiwi fruit, cucumber, black salt, honey, crushed ice and some mint leaves. Just blend everything all together in a blender and make a smooth consistency, serve with few slices of kiwi and, mint leaves.

You can book at home or go with your friends and family for a lunch or dinner to some great place who makes Navratri special menus for those who are fasting. This is a smart choice for today's generation who are following the traditional rules and want to have a happy time too, without investing time in the kitchen for cooking.

Zambar restaurant is located in Gurgaon Haryana, in North India. It serves South Indian cuisine, Chettinad, Kuttanad, Malabar, Coorgi, Mangalorean and madras curry and vegetables. It serves Navratri special menu curated as Navratri Thali abiding with no-onion, no-garlic and all vegetarian rule during those nine days fast. Thai offers dishes like Samak Pulao, Singara Puri, Chironji ki dal, Potato Kola, Paneer Masala, Sabudana Payasam and salad options. You have to pay the price of Rs. 390 only per person if you want to enjoy the unlimited delicacies, with your friends and family.

ISKCON Govinda restaurant serves buffet at Rs. 450, and you can choose from the vast vegetarian and Saatvik (without onion or garlic) spread which is perfect for the nine days Navratri fasting. It is located at Juhu Mumbai, Iskcon Hare Krishna temple.

At Nukkad you will get exceptional Navratri food curated especially for Navratri fasting days. Fasting will be delicious as Nukkad ensure that you enjoy the dining experience and choose from a variety of Saatvik menus like singhare ki poori with dahi arbi, sabudana pakora server with sonth ki chutney, and kuttu ki poori and aloo rasedar.