Navratri fasting menu: five easy dishes beyond sabudana khichdi

Shardiya Navratri begins on October 11, 2026, and will be celebrated until October 19. The nine forms of the goddess are worshipped with devotion during this period. Many devotees observe a fast over the nine days, and certain foods are therefore not eaten.

Only select dishes are eaten during a fast. If the fast runs for several days, eating the same things becomes tiresome. Sabudana khichdi and aloo usal are the most popular fasting dishes, but a few other easy options can be tried. They are quick to make at home and taste different. From sweet to tangy snacks, these five dishes can bring variety to the fasting menu.

The first is dry fruit kheer. It tastes good, is ready in very little time and is also considered good for health. Put 1 litre of milk on a low flame and keep stirring now and then until it reduces to half. Once the milk thickens a little, add chopped cashews, almonds, walnuts, melon seeds and grated coconut, and mix well. Add sugar or date paste for sweetness. Finally, mix in ghee and powdered green cardamom. When the kheer has cooked thick, serve it in bowls.

The second option is a fruit smoothie, which can be had for breakfast during the fast. A smoothie made with different fruits will keep you energetic through the day. Blend apple, banana, sapota (chikoo), curd, honey or a fruit of your choice in a mixer. Put a few ice cubes in a glass, pour the smoothie over them and enjoy the cold drink.

The third is a buckwheat (kuttu) flour chilla. Buckwheat flour can be eaten during a fast, and it makes a crisp chilla that is light to digest. In a large vessel, mix buckwheat flour, mashed potato, green chilli, cumin, coriander leaves, salt and water to make a batter. Spread oil on a hot griddle, pour out the batter and cook the chilla until crisp on both sides. It can be served with curd.

The fourth is makhana and peanut bhel, which can be made when you want something tangy and light during the fast. Take roasted peanuts in a bowl. Roast makhana in ghee and add it to the same bowl. Add black pepper powder and rock salt and mix everything together. Your fasting bhel is ready.

The fifth is sweet potato chaat, a favourite for those who like chaat. Boil sweet potatoes in a cooker for two whistles. Cut them into pieces and fry the pieces well in ghee in a pan. Add black pepper powder, cumin powder and rock salt and mix well. Serve the chaat.