Chaitra Navratri is among the major Hindu festivals celebrated across India. It is a nine-day-long festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil and marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year. During the festival, devotees observe fasts and worship nine forms of Goddess Durga to seek her blessings for a prosperous life.
In 2023, the Chaitra Navratri begins on March 22 and ends on March 30. This year, the Kalash Sthapana muhurat, or auspicious time falls between 6:29 am and 07:39 am on 22 March 2023.
Importance of Chaitra Navrati:
One of the main reasons for celebrating Chaitra Navratri is to pay respect and homage to Goddess Durga. Along with her eight avatars, devotees also worship Lord Ganesha, Goddess Saraswati, and Lord Kartikeya during this festival. The nine days of fasting and worshiping are believed to bring spiritual growth and inner peace.
Puja Vidhi: How to perform puja for Chaitra Navratri?
The festival starts with Kalash Sthapana, which symbolizes the victory of good over evil. To perform this ritual, people place a clay pot filled with Ganga jal and decorate it with cloves, supari, coins, and a small stem of mango leaves. Also, tie a raksha sutra (a sacred thread) on a coconut and place it on top of the pot.
Foods to Eat During Chaitra Navratri:
Devotees observing fasts during Chaitra Navratri consume only Satvik foods, as they refrain from consuming onion, garlic, and non-vegetarian food. The reason for eating Satvik food is to purify the body and mind.
Popular Navratri dishes to make in 2023:
Sabudana Khichdi:
Sabudana Khichdi is one of the most popular dishes during Chaitra Navratri. It is a nutritious dish made with pearl sago, potatoes, and peanuts. This dish can be served as a breakfast or evening snack and is known for its lightness and taste. To make the khichdi, firstly the sabudana should be soaked in water for about 8-10 hours.
Then, mix the sabudana with boiled potatoes, peanuts, and spices, and fry until golden brown. The best way to eat the khichdi is with plain curd and freshly chopped coriander leaves. It’s a good source of carbohydrates and proteins.
Makhana Kheer:
Makhana kheer is a rich Indian dessert that is often made during religious festivals like Chaitra Navratri. It is an easy-to-make dish that is prepared with makhana or foxnuts, milk, sugar, and cardamom powder. The best way to enjoy the kheer is by topping it up with dry fruits like pistachios and almonds for a nutty flavor.
Makhana Kheer, which is also known as Phool Makhana Kheer, is a delicious and nutritious dessert that can be enjoyed by all. The best part about Makhana Kheer is that it can be prepared in just a few minutes and doesn’t require any special ingredients.
Kuttu Ka Dosa:
Kuttu Ka Dosa is a delicious and nutritious dish made with buckwheat flour. It is one of the most popular dishes prepared during Chaitra Navratri. To make this dosa, mix buckwheat flour with boiled potatoes, salt, spices, coriander leaves, and green chilies.
Then, add some water to make a thick batter. To cook the dosa, spread the batter on a hot tawa and pour some oil over it. Then, flip and cook on both sides until golden brown. Serve hot with some coconut chutney or tomato ketchup. Serve the dosa with some curd or pickle.
Singhare ke Atte ka Samosa:
Singhare ke Atte ka Samosa is a popular snack item prepared during Chaitra Navratri. This samosa is made with water chestnut flour and filled with potatoes, green peas, and spices. It is a great way to enjoy the festival as it does not require any deep frying and is also low in calories.
To make the samosa, mix water chestnut flour with some spices, boiled potatoes, and green peas. Then, make small balls of the mixture and flatten them. Fill each flattened dough with some potato filling, fold it into a triangle, and seal it. Shallow fry the samosas until golden brown and serve hot with chutney or ketchup.
Aloo ki Kadhi:
Aloo ki Kadhi is a delicious and nutritious curry prepared with potatoes and yogurt. It is an easy-to-make dish that can be enjoyed during Chaitra Navratri or any other occasion. To make this dish, firstly mix curd with some spices, garlic paste, and water to make a thick mixture.
In addition, fry some potatoes in oil. Then, add the curd mixture and potatoes to a saucepan and let it cook for 10-15 minutes. Finally, garnish with some freshly chopped coriander leaves and serve hot with steamed rice.
Kuttu ki Poori:
Kuttu ki Poori is a delicious and nutritious dish prepared with buckwheat flour. It is a great way to enjoy the festival of Chaitra Navratri as it does not require any deep frying and can be enjoyed with some curd, chutney, or pickle. To make this poori, mix buckwheat flour with some spices and salt.
Then, knead into a soft dough using some water. Now divide the dough into small portions and roll them out into round discs. Heat some oil in a pan and deep fry the pooris until golden brown. Serve the Kutu Poori hot with your favorite accompaniments.
Banana Walnut Lassi:
Banana Walnut Lassi is a delicious and nutritious drink that can be enjoyed anytime during Chaitra Navratri. It is a great way to stay hydrated and energized throughout the festival as it contains essential nutrients like protein, fiber, and vitamins. To make this lassi, blend together some walnuts, banana, milk, and sugar.
Add some cardamom powder for a unique flavor. If you want it to be more creamy and rich, add some fresh cream or yogurt. Serve the lassi chilled with some dry fruits on top for a nutritious treat.
Wrapping up!
Chaitra Navratri is one of the most popular Indian festivals that celebrate the divine power of Goddess Durga. Celebrate this auspicious occasion with traditional festivities, delicious food, and lots of fun. Enjoy the festival with some of these delicious dishes and make your Navratri celebrations even more special and memorable.
Comments are closed.